Lingle Could Get Log Cabin Nod

The Log Cabin Republicans are not ruling out former Gov. Linda Lingle for a U.S. Senate endorsement, despite her veto of a law that would have allowed civil unions for same-sex couples in 2010.

The group’s executive director, R. Clarke Cooper, told DC808 on Friday that the Log Cabin Republicans will look to endorse candidates whose values line up with broad conservative tenets, as well as “how does that line up with their record on being advocates for what would be defined by some as parity and equality measures.”

“It is certainly within the realm of reality that the governor would play into those considerations,” Cooper said. “It is a high-profile race, and it does require coalitions and fundraising.”

Cooper said making same-sex marriage or civil unions a deal-breaker issue would only hurt the group’s goals. 

“If we were that black and white, then we would be knocking out allies left and right,” Cooper said. “It is a matter of finding out where people can be defined as an ally.”

Again endorsing former Rep. Charles Djou, who is challenging Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, is a “no-brainer,” Cooper said. No endorsements are likely to come until after the primary election.

The civil unions law signed by Lingle’s successor, Gov. Neil Abercrombie, took effect earlier this month.