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Mufi picks ex-parks chief as gubernatorial running mate

Former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann has tapped Les Chang, the city's former parks and recreation director, as his running mate in his independent campaign for governor.Hannemann courted several potential candidates for lieutenant governor,including Dick Tomey, the popular former University of Hawaii football coach, before deciding on Chang. The retired Air Force colonel was Hannemann's parks and recreation director from 2004 to 2010.Chang has never run for elective office before and does not have name recognition with voters. Since the Hawaii Independent Party only formed this year and has little money or political infrastructure, its early success will depend on whether Hannemann and Chang have the ability to mount credible campaigns.Chang, 64, who lives in Kaneohe, said he considers himself a nonpolitical person running for political office. \But I think that's what represents the Independent Party