KAILUA — State Sen. Bob Hogue, surrounded by family and friends, announced his campaign in the Republican primary for the U.S. House yesterday, promising to stand up for small communities and businesses and to concentrate on public education, the environment and economic growth.

"I vow to be positive. I have a positive message for the people of the state of Hawai'i," Hogue said. "And I think that that's what they want. They're tired of the rancor that we hear, the partisanship that we hear in Washington, D.C."

Hogue, a weekly columnist, former TV sportscaster and accountant, has represented Kailua and Kane'ohe in the state Senate for the past six years, and will give up his seat to run in the 2nd Congressional District. The district, which covers Central, Leeward and Windward O'ahu and the Neighbor Islands, became open after U.S. Rep. Ed Case decided to challenge U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.

Honolulu prosecutor Peter Carlisle has said he is considering the Republican primary, and Sam Aiona, the party's chairman, said yesterday that he expects former state Rep. Quentin Kawananakoa to announce his intentions soon.

Hogue has raised less than $10,000 but has set a fundraising goal of $250,000.

He said he believes his recent experience in the Senate distinguishes him from Carlisle or Kawananakoa but he is expecting a tough primary.

"I have to outwork everybody," he said.

The unexpected open seat in Congress has drawn a strong field of Democrats, who dominate politics in the Islands and have the advantage in party registration.

Former Lt. Gov. Mazie Hirono announced last week that she has raised nearly $300,000 for her campaign, and state Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, state Sen. Gary Hooser and state Rep. Brian Schatz also reported significant fundraising. Former state Sen. Matt Matsunaga and state Sen. Ron Menor are, like Hogue, just starting to raise money.

Hogue, Carlisle and Kawananakoa are considered by political analysts to be credible candidates who could have a legitimate chance against the Democratic primary winner.

Aiona said the GOP will stay neutral in the primary. National Republicans may invest in the open seat if the Republican candidate can raise money or demonstrate a competitive level of public support. Gov. Linda Lingle, who largely stayed out of the congressional races in 2004, could also be helpful if her own re-election prospects remain strong.

"This is our chance. This is our time," Aiona said.

A contested Republican primary for the U.S. House could have an influence on the U.S. Senate race, because Republican and independent voters would have an incentive to pull a Republican ballot in the 2nd District rather than take a Democratic ballot and be eligible to vote for Case or Akaka. Some Democratic insiders believe that Case needs crossover votes to help overcome Akaka's strength with establishment Democrats.

State Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Kahala, Hawai'i Kai), who attended Hogue's announcement, said competition within the political parties is healthy. "We're the party that always believes in the free market, in competition, and more so the competition of ideas. The public only benefits from that," he said.

Hogue's announcement leaves an open seat in state Senate District 24 that Democrats will likely mark as an opportunity to increase their majority. Democrats have a 20-to-5 majority in the Senate, and Republicans may have a problem finding a candidate with Hogue's appeal.

Jill Tokuda, of Kane'ohe, a former aide to Hirono who also served as the Democratic Party of Hawai'i's executive director, has filed papers to run in the Democratic primary in Senate District 24.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.