Bennett has a long history of involvement with the Republican Party of Hawaii, including serving as the Party’s counsel in 2001-02.[11] Bennett also volunteered on Lingle’s gubernatorial campaigns in 2002 and 2006, as well as supporting Republican James Aiona’s gubernatorial campaign in 2010.[12] Bennett also supported Lingle in her 2012 Senate bid against Hirono.[13]
Additionally, Bennett has also been a generous donor to the Republican Party of Hawaii, donating almost $5000 over the years, including $400 in October 2017, after his name had been proposed for a federal judgeship but before the formal vetting process had begun.[14] Bennett has also donated to support Lingle, former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte and Hawaii State Legislator Cynthia Thielen, all Republicans.[15] On the flip side, Bennett financially supported Rep. Colleen Hanabusa (a Democrat) in her primary challenge to Schatz in 2014.[16]
https://vettingroom.org/2018/04/11/mark-bennett/
Thanks for your detailed Comment.
I did some more digging on Bennett.
Apparently, all the GOP Senators voted against him for the same reason....
Second Amendment issues.
By the way - Bennett was the Hawaii Attorney General for 8 years.
Bennett opposed the “Citizens United” campaign finance case.
And, Bennett was the first Attorney General in the country to support Same Sex Marriage.
Also, it's clear from public comments made by Hawaii's two Democrat Senators that Bennett was “Blue Slipped” and the White House Counsel's office agreed to nominate him.
Trump's Hawaii District Court nominee Jill Otake was also Blue Slipped and was confirmed by a voice vote.