Shan S. Tsutsui (born August 9, 1971) is an American politician who was the 13th lieutenant governor of Hawaii from 2012 to 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, he was previously a member of the Hawaii Senate from 2003 to 2012, and he served as President of the Senate from 2010 to 2012.[1] On January 29, 2018, Tsutsui announced his resignation, which was put into effect on January 31.
Tsutsui was a member of the Hawaii Senate from 2003 until becoming lieutenant governor in 2012. From 2003 to 2011, he represented district 4, which includes Waihee, Wailuku, and Kahului.[3] Subsequently he represented district 5.
Lieutenant governor
Following the death of U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye, Governor Neil Abercrombie appointed Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz to replace Inouye in the U.S. Senate.[4] As president of the Hawaii Senate, Tsutsui was first in line to replace Schatz as lieutenant governor.[4] After consulting with his family, Senate leaders, and Governor Abercrombie, Tsutsui accepted the position.[5] Tsutsui's successor in the Senate (who served until 2014) was selected by Governor Abercrombie from a list of three names submitted by the local Democratic Party central committee.[5] Tsutsui's position as Senate president was filled by Senate vice president Donna Mercado Kim until Senate members voted on a new president on the opening day of the 2013 session.[5]
Tsutsui was elected to a second term as lieutenant governor in 2014. Tsutsui had expected to share the ticket with Abercrombie in the general election, but Ige defeated Abercrombie in the primary.[6] He announced in October 2017 that he would not run for a third term as lieutenant governor in 2018, even though he was eligible to do so because his first term was only the completion of an unexpired term.[7]
Tsutsui resigned as lieutenant governor effective January 31, 2018, to take a job with Strategies 360, a communications firm.[8]
Personal
Tsutsui in 2011
Tsutsui and his wife Lyndelle have three daughters, Mikayla, Kaylee and Kenna.[2][9]
Electoral history
Hawai'i State Senate District 4 Democratic Primary Election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Shan Tsutsui
4,255
53.12
Democratic
Jan Yagi Buen
2,921
36.47
Democratic
Thomas Cerizo
834
10.41
Hawai'i State Senate District 4 Election, 2002
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Shan Tsutsui
n/a
100.00
Hawai'i State Senate District 4 Election, 2004
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Shan Tsutsui (inc.)
n/a
100.00
Hawai'i State Senate District 4 Democratic Primary Election, 2006
