State Rep. Josh Green, a Big Island doctor, said he plans to run for state Senate next year for the seat now held by Sen. Paul Whalen, R-3rd (Kohala, Kona, Ka'u).

Green, D-6th (N. Kona, Keauhou, Kailua, Kona), would have to get through a Democratic primary to face Whalen, one of only five Senate Republicans, in a district that is considered politically friendly to Republicans.

"West Hawai'i deserves a state senator who shows up for work every day and comes to the Capitol for all the votes and never backs down," Green said Friday, referring to Whalen's occasional absences from committee hearings and floor sessions.

Whalen, first elected in 2002, said there was no mystery Green had political ambitions beyond his House seat.

"If he has something negative to say about my performance in representing our constituents he should have approached me about it," Whalen said Friday. "Regarding my voting record, every vote I made, I know my constituents would be happy with it.

"And as for the statements about the absences and what not, I'm there for the important stuff."

Green, first elected in 2004, is the chairman of the House Health Committee. This session, he was behind the restoration of health-insurance rate regulation and a pilot project to provide basic health insurance to uninsured children.

Whalen was the GOP's minority floor leader this session. He defended Iwalani White as director of the state Department of Public Safety during her unsuccessful confirmation fight. Last session, Whalen was among the lawmakers who favored keeping a price cap on wholesale gasoline to help consumers.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.