State Sen. Robert Bunda yesterday announced his campaign in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, saying his experience as a lawmaker would help him bridge the gap between the next governor and the state Legislature.

Bunda, an insurance broker, was elected to the Senate in 1994 and served as the chamber's leader for six years until he was replaced by state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), in November 2006. He served in the state House from 1983 to 1994.

"I'd like to think I have something to give back," said Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), who described himself as a consensus builder.

Bunda, 62, is from the conservative wing of the party on social and fiscal issues. He opposed civil unions last session, casting a key vote that helped block a bill from advancing from the Senate Judiciary and Government Operations Committee. As president, he pushed for tax relief for lower and middle-income residents.

Bunda said he would focus on such issues as economic revitalization and alternative energy in his campaign. He said, for example, that he would call for bid preferences for local contractors in state contracts and encourage local hiring for major infrastructure projects such as Honolulu rail. He said he would also promote the development of solar energy production.

"The whole idea is local jobs for local people," he said. "Rail is going to create a lot of jobs. And we need those jobs to go to people who are from Hawai'i. We need those dollars to stay in Hawai'i."

Bunda is the third state senator to announce a campaign for lieutenant governor, following Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser, D-7th (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau), and Sen. Norman Sakamoto, D-15th (Waimalu, Airport, Salt Lake).

State Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu, D-41st (Waipahu, Village Park, Waikele), and state Rep. Lyla Berg, D-18th (Kuli'ou'ou, Niu Valley, 'Aina Haina), are also running.

State Democratic Party chairman Brian Schatz is also expected to enter the primary.

State lawmakers have to resign to run for another state office, but have until the filing deadline next July to formally file paperwork.