Neil Abercrombie was born in 1938 in Buffalo, NY, to Vera June Grader and George Donald Abercrombie, President of Abercrombie, Logan and Derose, food brokers. Abercrombie earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Union College in Schenectady, NY (1959); a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (1964); and a PhD in American Studies from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (1974).

From 1967 to 1969, he traveled around the world, participating in anti-war and other demonstrations before returning to Hawaiʻi and running for U.S. Senate in 1970. With his long hair, outspoken personality, and flamboyant campaign tactics and literature (one campaign poster depicted him as “Super Senator,” a costumed superhero fighting the “Bishop Monster,” the “Big 5 Home Eater,” and the “Fat Cats”) he was viewed by many as the ultimate outsider. He finished third in the Democratic primary.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Abercrombie served in the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives (1974-1978), the State Senate (1978-1986), and on the Honolulu City Council (1988-1991), representing the Mānoa-Makiki area. During this period he also became known for his “Neilmobile,” a Checker cab emblazoned with his name and image that he drove around his district in. He married scholar and professor Nancie Caraway in 1981.

In September 1986, Hawaiʻi held a special election to fill the remainder of the term of U.S. Representative Cecil Heftel, who had resigned from Congress to run for governor. The primary election for the next two-year U.S. House term was held the same day. In the contentious race, Abercrombie won the special election, but lost the primary to Mufi Hannemann, who was subsequently defeated by Republican Pat Saiki.

In 1990, Abercrombie was elected to the U.S. House representing the First Congressional District (urban Honolulu). He was reelected 9 times. While serving in the House, Abercrombie was known for liberal stances on issues such as gun control, abortion, social welfare programs, and the environment. In 2002, he was one of a minority of House members to vote against the resolution authorizing President Bush to use military force against Iraq, and he continued to be a vocal critic of the Bush administrationʻs handling of the Iraq war. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Abercrombie introduced legislation that established the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary. As a member of the House Committee on Armed Forces and chair or ranking member of the Subcommittees on Air and Land Forces; Military Installations and Facilities; Military Personnel; the Merchant Marine; and Tactical Air and Land Forces, he helped secure significant federal funding for military construction projects in Hawaiʻi, and advocated for improved equipment, housing, and benefits for military personnel and their families.

Abercrombie resigned from the House in 2010 to run for governor. He defeated primary challenger Mufi Hannemann and served one term as governor before being defeated by David Ige in 2014. Though he has left public office, Abercrombie continues to be involved in politics, most recently co-chairing Ikaika Anderson’s 2022 lieutenant governor campaign.

1938 June 26

Born Buffalo, NY; parents Vera June and Donald Abercrombie

1955

Graduated from Williamsville High School (now Williamsville South High School), Williamsville, N.Y.

1964

M.A. Sociology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His thesis title was “Other-direction" and the religious orientation of University of Hawaii students.

1969

UH lecturer

1970

Unsuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate

1974

Ph.D. American Studies, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. His dissertation title was Mumford, Mailer and machines: staking a claim for man.

1974-1978

Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives, 13th district (Mānoa-Makiki)

1978-1986

Hawaiʻi State Senate, 6th district (Mānoa-Makiki)

1981 July 18

Married Nancie Ellen Caraway

1986 September 20-1987 January 3

U.S. House of Representatives; won a special election to fill the vacancy when U.S. Rep. Cecil Heftel resigned

1986 September

Lost primary election for Democratic nomination for full two-year term to the U.S. House to Mufi Hannemann (who lost to Republican Pat Saiki)

1987

Appointed special assistant to state superintendent of education Charles Toguchi

1988-1991

Honolulu City Council, 5th district (Mānoa-Makiki-Waikīkī)

1991 January 3-2010 February 28

Elected to U.S. House of Representatives (1st Congressional District) 10 times

1996

With co-author Richard Hoyt, wrote and published the novel Blood of Patriots (New York, Forge)

2002 October 10

One of 133 U.S. House members to vote against authorizing the U.S. invasion of Iraq

2009 March 9

Announced his intention to run for governor of Hawaiʻi

2010 February 28

Resigned from the U.S. House to run for governor

2010 September 18

Defeated Mufi Hannemann in primary election, becoming Democratic nominee for governor

2010 November 2

Defeated Republican James “Duke” Aiona in gubernatorial race

2010 December 6

Inaugurated as Hawaiʻi’s seventh governor since statehood

2012 December 26

Appointed Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz to fill the seat of the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye

2013 November 13

After calling a special session of the legislature, signed into law a measure making Hawaiʻi the 15th state to legalize gay marriage

2014 August 9

Lost Democratic nomination for 2nd term to David Ige in the primary election

Armed Services (1991-2010) (committee renamed to Committee on National Security from 1995-1998)

• Air and Land Forces: 2007-2010 (chair)
• Environmental Restoration Panel: 1991-1992
• Military Acquisition: 1993-1994
• Military Installations and Facilities: 1991-1997, 1998 (ranking minority member), 1999-2001, 2002 (ranking minority member)
• Military Personnel: 1991-1992, 1999-2001 (ranking minority member)
• Military Procurement: 1995-1996
• Military Research and Development: 1997-1998, 2001-2002
• Projection Forces: 2004-2005
• Readiness: 2003-2007, 2009-2010
• Special Oversight Panel on the Merchant Marine: 1995-1996, 1997-1998 (ranking minority member), 1999-2001
• Special Oversight Panel on Morale, Welfare and Recreation: 1993-1994, 2001-2002
• Seapower and Expeditionary Forces: 2007- 2008
• Tactical Air and Land Forces: 2003-2006 (ranking minority member), 2007 (chair)

• Energy and Mineral Resources: 1995, 1996 (ranking minority member)
• Fisheries, Conservation, Wildlife, and Oceans: 1997-1998 (ranking minority member), 1999-2008
• Forests and Forest Health: 2005-2007
• Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife: 2009-2010
• National Parks, Forests and Public Lands: 1994, 2009
• National Parks, Recreation and Public Lands: 2005-2008, 2010
• Native American Affairs: 1994
• Oversight and Investigations: 1994

• General Oversight and California Desert Lands: 1992
• National Parks and Public Lands: 1992-1993
• Native American Affairs: 1993
• Oversight and Investigations: 1993
• Water, Power and Offshore Energy Resources: 1992

• Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation and the Environment: 1991
• Merchant Marine: 1991
• Oceanography, Great Lakes and Outer Continental Shelf: 1991
• Oversight and Investigation: 1991

• Housing and Consumer Interests: 1991-1992
• Human Services: 1991-1992
• Task Force on Social Security and Women: 1991-1992

Democratic Regional Whip: 1995-1996
Democratic Whip at Large: 1997-2010

Ad Hoc Congressional Committee for Irish Affairs: 1995-2010
Army Caucus: 1995-2010
Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus: 1995-2010
Congressional Boating Caucus: 2008-2010
Congressional Children’s Working Group: 1994-2010
Congressional Competitiveness Caucus: 1995-2010
Congressional Human Rights Caucus: 1994-2010
Congressional Hunger Caucus: 1994
Congressional Populist Caucus: 1992-1994
Congressional Study Group on Japan: 1997-2010
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: 1991-2010
Democratic Study Group: 1991-2010
House Depot/Plant Caucus: 1993-1994
Law Enforcement Caucus: 1994-2010
Older Americans Caucus: 1994-2010
U.S. Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus: 1994-2010

Source: Congressional staff directory