By TOM CALLIS
Tribune-Herald staff writer
David “Kawika” Crowley has a lot to say about Tulsi Gabbard, his opponent in Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional race, but it appears he won’t have a chance to say it to her face.
The upstart Republican said Monday that Gabbard’s campaign has ignored repeated requests for a televised debate, and he’s assuming they don’t intend to respond.
“This is a slap in the face not only to me but the good people of the 2nd Congressional district,” he said Monday morning, before holding a press conference on the issue in Honolulu.
Multiple calls to a spokesman for the Gabbard campaign weren’t returned Monday.
Gabbard, a 31-year-old Iraq war veteran who has served both in the state Legislature and Honolulu City Council, has been largely seen as a shoe-in for the Nov. 6 general election after her come-from-behind win against Mufi Hannemann in the Democratic primary.
But Crowley, who garnered his own surprise win in the Republican primary while living in a van on Oahu, isn’t calling it quits.
Despite running an unconventional and low-budget campaign (he estimated he has raised $1,600 and relies on friends to house him while campaigning), Crowley, 61, said that he is still a legitimate candidate.
“If I’m just a nobody homeless guy who is trying to run for Congress, what’s she afraid of?” he asked, before confidently adding, “I’ll wipe her slate clean because I do know all the issues.”
Crowley, who has relied mostly on sign waving and media coverage to introduce himself to voters, said a debate is needed to inform them on their varied positions and who they might be sending to Congress to represent the neighbor islands and rural Oahu.
“There’s a lot of questions the 2nd Congressional district’s people need to come to grips with,” he said.
The former Hilo resident is a tea-party styled conservative who advocates deep cuts in non-military spending.
He recently held a sign-waving tour around the Big Island and plans to return for another round. Crowley said he may also move back to Hilo to live with his daughter, who is relocating from Las Vegas.
He believes government has become too big and costly, and has pledged to donate half of the $179,000 Congressional salary to the Wounded Warriors Project if elected.
Crowley also opposes gay marriage and the rail project in Honolulu.
He’s proposed a vehicular tunnel that would curve around Oahu as an alternative.
Crowley said he would also seek a nationwide property tax exemption for seniors.
He admits he is a long shot for winning the race. Nonetheless, his average-guy appeal and casual approach to campaigning has attracted a share of the media spotlight that may include a feature on national cable news.
Crowley said CNN is interviewing him later this week.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
