Top Democrats Condemn Party for Rejecting Thielen

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1. The Thielen Affair: Debate Continues On Senate Floor

By Chad Blair 04/06/2012

Just two days after speaking out on the floor of the Hawaii State Senate about Laura Thielen, Sens. Clayton Hee and Pohai Ryan — both Democrats — were at it again Wednesday.

The Democrats are abuzz over their party's rejection of Thielen, who once worked for Republican Gov. Linda Lingle, as a candidate in the Democratic primary. That happened Saturday at a party meeting and on Monday, Hee and Ryan who has the seat Thielen wants — tangled over the issue on the Senate floor.

It was more of the same Wednesday. Hee explained he was prompted to again address his colleagues after the Democratic Party warned him that his earlier remarks could be "potentially damaging."

Hee ignored the warning and stood by his main point: His party should not reject people who want to run for office.

More: http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2012/04/06/15433-the-thielen-affair-continues-on-the-senate-floor/