Democrats are dropping like flies lately. And it’s throwing a major wrench in the Left’s plans.
And this Senator’s resignation sent Democrats into a tailspin.
There are only two reasons a politician will resign their post:
One: They are sick and can’t function in the office – though that hasn’t stopped Biden, McConnell, Feinstein, and Fetterman.
Or two: They’ve been caught up in scandals they can’t escape from, so they’re forced out.
Other than that, an elected official will greedily hold on to their office until the end of time.
But one Democrat wasn’t so lucky this time.
A Democrat state senator in Hawaii has resigned due to a potential conflict of interest between his political position and legal practice, as lawsuits loom over the deadly Maui wildfires that killed at least 115 people and left hundreds more missing.
Maui Senator Gil Keith-Agaran will resign by October 31 due to ethical concerns made by local media outlets.
According to the Honolulu Civil Beat, the incident began when Keith-Agaran’s name appeared on a flier for a community forum on “Maui Wildfire Impact” with Takitani Agaran Jorgensen & Wildman and numerous other legal firms.
Legal experts noted that as vice chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, his political position could provide him with non-public information that could favor him if he took on any lawsuits linked to the Maui fires.
“I believe that this decision best serves the interests of the Maui people especially given what they have gone through over the last three weeks, and what they continue to experience,” Keith-Agaran said in a statement.
“As we know, the Maui community — including members of my extended clan who lived and worked in West Maui — have suffered tremendous losses, including losing loved ones. Some, to this day, are still not identified or found,” he added.
“The choice for me has always been and will always be my family and community, and this decision is consistent with that overriding value.”
Following the terrible fires, a slew of lawsuits are expected, which could raise ethical concerns if his firm is involved in litigation.
“I’ve always had a legal practice, my professional responsibilities are to my clients so I would pick my clients,” Keith-Agaran told Civil Beat earlier this month when asked if he would prioritize his law firm or political responsibilities.
After Keith-Agaran’s official resignation, Democrat Governor Josh Green has 60 days to pick a replacement.
The lawsuits have already begun, with Maui County suing Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), alleging that “intentional and malicious” mishandling of power cables caused the blaze that burned down much of Lahaina.
“Defendants knew of the extreme fire danger that the high wind gusts posed to their overhead electrical infrastructure, particularly during red flag conditions,” the lawsuit said.
Hawaiian Electric responded to the lawsuit, saying it is “very disappointed that Maui County chose this litigious path while the investigation is still unfolding.”
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
