Yesterday, Through a social media post on Instagram. BJ Penn announced his plans to run for Governor of Hawaii in the 2022 upcoming elections.
His announcement came as follows:
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life but I would never run from a fight or sell out my people. As soon as I step into Hawaii’s Governor office I will remove All new federal and state mandates that have been hurting our economy, residents, and ‘ohana. We will get the best doctors, medicines, therapies, and health care the world has to offer to fight this pandemic and always keep Hawaii among the safest and healthiest states in the union. We will get rid of all vaccine passports. Hawaii will be a vaccinated with Aloha and Unvaccinated with Aloha policy for everyone. Same with the masks 😷. We will follow the constitution to the tee 👌. I am not here to fit in with the other politicians, I am here to get our freedoms back! #hawaii #oahu #honolulu #maui #lanai #molokai #Kauai #niihau #kahoolawe
#standtogether“
Nothing has been posted as of yet on BJʻs official flagship website BJPENN.com. BJ meets the required qualifications for his run for governor. Hawaii Qualifications are as follows:
• Resident of Hawaii for not less than 5 years immediately preceding the election
• Registered voter of Hawaii
• At least 30 years of age
On top of the qualifications above. BJ would need to acquire 25 signatures which should be no problem to secure and a $750 fee.
2022 Governor race has already been a heated topic with the current Governor David Ige latest approval rating of 32% and a disapproval rating of 58%, the highest in the country. (According to a study by financial news and opinion company 24/7 Wall St. 2020) and loads of social media buzz around some of the current people planning to run for the most powerful position in Hawaii.
BJʻs Fight card so far:
Andria Tupola (R) Last election Major contender has reported she is “all in” for the 2022 election.
Tulsi Gabbard (R) who ran in the last election for President has also been rumored as a possible candidate.
Former First Lady Vicky Cayetano (D) has declared her intention to run in the 2022 elections.
Josh Green Hawaii Current Attorney General (D) who has been reported for raising the most money for the 2022 gubernatorial race so far, has not officially declared he is running.
Former Oahu Mayor Kirk Caldwell (D) has also mentioned his intention to run in 2022.
Paul Morgan (R) from Paul Morgan Consulting Inc another Big Island resident has also announced his run for Governor of the State of Hawai’i 2022.
Some other possible potential candidates are Colleen Hanabusa (D), State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D), and former State Sen. Jill Tokuda (D).
Candidate filing for the 2022 Elections begins March 1, 2022, and ends June 7, 2022. An official updated list of candidates will be available during this period.
With such a stacked card. This could be one of BJʻs toughest fights. For not just him. But his contenders as well. One thing is for sure.
With Covid, Mandates, and an active emergency rule to be in place for the foreseeable future. For all contenders. The real fight starts on the day they are elected.
