Shan Tsutsui is Senate president and the speaker of the House is Calvin Say.

Tsutsui released the following statement:

"Congratulations to the Lieutenant Governor on his appointment to fill Senator Inouye’s vacant seat in the United States Senate.  I am confident that he will ably serve the State of Hawaii and honor the legacy that Senator Inouye has left behind.  I understand that by law, as Senate President, I would be next in line to succeed Lieutenant Governor Schatz.  I plan to discuss this prospect with the Governor and my family before making a decision."

Schatz was inaugurated as the 11th lieutenant governor for the state on Dec. 6, 2010.

Before being elected to the office of the lieutenant governor, he served for eight years as the CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii, one of Hawaii’s largest non-profit community social services organizations.

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa's statement:

"I want to congratulate Brian Schatz on his selection to succeed Senator Daniel K. Inouye in the United States Senate. I also want to thank the Democratic Party’s State Central Committee for their work in assembling the list of nominees, and Governor Abercrombie for selecting quickly from that list."

"Having served as chair of the Hawaii Senate Judiciary Committee when the succession law was passed, I fully respect the process and the governor’s right to appoint a successor."

"As a member of Hawaii’s Congressional delegation, I will continue to work to serve the people of our state, and support our delegation’s efforts."

From 2008 to 2010, Schatz was the chairman of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.  He also chaired President Barack Obama's campaign in Hawaii in 2008.

From 1998 to 2006, Schatz was a member of the State House of Representatives, representing the state's 25th district.  During this time, he served as the House Majority Whip, Chair of the Economic Development Committee, Vice-Chair of Water, Land and Ocean Resources, Vice-Chair of Consumer Protection and Commerce, and as a member of the Hawaiian Affairs, Higher Education, Energy and Environmental Protection, and Agriculture Committees.

He will serve as senator until a general election in 2014.