Jerry Chang, state representative for House District 2

HILO, Hawaii: The following announcement was made Friday by the Hawaii House of Representatives on behalf on Hilo State Representative, Jerry Chang:

State Representative Jerry Chang, who has represented District 2 – South Hilo for the past 24 years, announced today that he will retire from the House of Representatives at the end of his current term and not seek re-election.

“I want to thank the voters for their support and for the opportunity to represent them over the past 24 years,” said Rep. Chang. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of the Big Island and the State of Hawaii. I have always been humbled by their trust in me to be their voice at the Legislature. Together, with the Hawaii Island delegation, I am proud of the work that we have accomplished for the benefit of the people.”

Rep. Chang cited redistricting that would have placed him in the same district as fellow incumbent Rep. Mark Nakashima. The new District 2, an outcome of the final maps produced by the state’s reapportionment commission, places him in a small portion of the old district and an area that includes Hamakua to Waipio Valley.

“It’s always a difficult decision to run against another incumbent, especially a friend with whom I have worked during the past four years,” said Rep. Chang. “It was a decision I did not take lightly. I will continue to serve the community that I love in other ways. Perhaps that will include running again for public office in the future.”