Poindexter unopposed for County Council District 1 seat

The summer just got a whole lot easier for Hamakua Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter.

The second-term District 1 incumbent is seeking another two-year term in this year’s primary election; no other candidates filed to run against her as of the 4:30 p.m. Tuesday filing deadline.

Poindexter’s seat is the only county council post on this year’s ballot that did not garner any other candidates.

Poindexter, reached Tuesday afternoon, said she’ll still be out there campaigning, however. She wants to reach as many of her constituents as possible, urging them to vote for her as a show of support for her record in office. She needs one vote to win, under election law.

“I think people know I will advocate on their behalf. I will be their voice,” Poindexter said. “It’s not my personal views that matter. They put me in office because they want their voices heard.”

Poindexter might be doing a good job, but there could be other reasons she faced no opposition this year.

University of Hawaii at Hilo political science professor Todd Belt, while not talking about any particular race, said local races rely heavily on name recognition, giving incumbents a distinct advantage. In addition, he said, successful incumbents also have a track record that draws financial and other support from interest groups that help candidates get their messages out.

“Name recognition is the strongest predictor of voter choice in local elections than anything else,” Belt said. “There’s a strong incumbent advantage, making it difficult for a challenger to compete.”

Poindexter said she will spend time this summer on three projects that have become controversial: a proposed development at Hakalau Point, a proposed Kukuihaele Park and a Papaikou beach access issue.

Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com.