Hawaii congressional candidates Ikaika Anderson and Mark Takai picked up last-minute endorsements Monday as the race to represent urban Oahu entered its final week before the primary election Saturday.

The Hawaii Democratic Party’s Hawaiian Affairs Caucus announced its endorsement of Anderson, a member of the Honolulu City Council.

“Ikaika believes that righting the wrongs of the past is important, but he also believes that we must protect the benefits of Native Hawaiian keiki, kupuna, and ohana against lawsuits like Rice vs. Cayetano,” Caucus Chair Davis Price said in a statement.

Takai, a state representative, secured endorsements from six of his colleagues. They include: Sen. Michelle Kidani and Reps. Sylvia Luke, Scott Saiki, Scott Nishimoto, Della Au Belatti and Bert Kobayashi.

“Mark’s record, from our college days to now, is what makes me firmly believe he should be our next Congressman,” Luke said in a statement.

Takai has surged in the most recent polls. Senate President Donna Mercado Kim held a 6-percentage-point lead in May, but Civil Beat’s poll last week showed Takai leading by a 7-point margin.

Takai and Kim remain the frontrunners in the race for the Democratic ticket. The winner is expected to face Republican Charles Djou in the Nov. 4 general election.

Check out Civil Beat’s election guide here.

The U.S. Capitol

Chad Blair/Civil Beat