Honolulu - Joseph Zuiker, a Hawaii attorney and former Peace Corps Volunteer, announced today that he is preparing a campaign for Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District (Democratic Primary) in what he calls his “Race for a Common Sense Congress.”

Zuiker, 64, has run 14 marathons, including the last 12 Honolulu Marathons. This is his first run for political office.

“I am not happy with the utter lack of commonsense displayed by our U. S. Congress,” said Zuiker. “I can either sit quietly on my sofa while Iraq deteriorates and our national budget deficit bankrupts my grandchildren, or I can run for Congress. I choose to run.”

Acknowledging the high costs of a campaign for national office, Zuiker announced a different strategy for his race for Congress. He will literally run for the office.

“Like all of the other candidates, I could attempt to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars from special interests,” he said. “But big money from special interests usually creates tongue-tied candidates. The big money limits their ability to speak out about what’s really in their hearts.”

For that reason, Zuiker will limit campaign contributions to a maximum of $200 from any individual or group. To make up for the lack of special-interest money, he plans on running his ideas around the Hawaiian Islands

“As a frequent marathoner, I do know how to run. I will run around each island during the course of my campaign, explaining to everyone I meet my ideas for bringing common sense back to the deliberations of the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Zuiker said he sees this election is a real test of whether it is possible to run for Congress and remain free from special-interest money in Hawaii. While the other candidates in this contest will outspend him by thousands and thousands of dollars, Zuiker promises to outrun them all.”

“They don’t call it a race for Congress for nothing,” Zuiker said. “By the time I finish my race, I will either be in Congress or in the best shape of my life, or both.”