Republican Charles Djou has increased his lead in Hawaii's First Congressional District with less than three weeks before the mail-in, winner-take-all special election. In a new poll, Honolulu City Councilman Djou leads with 36% while former Congressman Ed Case (D) has 28% and state Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D) trails the pack with 22%. 13% remain undecided. (source)

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While there's no doubt Mr. Case and Ms. Hanabusa are splitting the Democratic vote allowing Mr. Djou a serious chance to win in a district that voted 70% for President Obama in 2008, there are indications that the Republican message may be resonating with voters.

"Right now, for me, it's about fiscal responsibility," said Walter Yuen, a retired flight attendant who lives in Hawai'i Kai and is leaning toward Mr. Djou.

More good news for the Republican: House GOP leaders have initiated an all-hands-on-deck fundraising effort to aid the Djou campaign and Liberty First Political Action Committee, a Tea Party affiliated group, has commissioned a radio ad supporting Councilman Djou and touting the fact that he has never voted for a tax increase while on the council (source)

The national attention, the Tea Party support, the sentimental attachment Democrats have to the district (it is Barack Obama's original hometown and has been in Democratic control since 1991) are all working together to remind the nation of another political upset which occured in the not too distant past. Just like Senator Scott Brown's January victory in Massachusetts, with a Charles Djou victory this month the voters of Hawaii could send the same loud and clear message all the way to Washington DC.