HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie faced a backlash Thursday for choosing his lieutenant governor to succeed Daniel Inouye in the U.S. Senate, revealing discord between Democrats in a state where the party has dominated for decades with Inouye at the helm.

Abercrombie went against Inouye’s dying wish in appointing Brian Schatz to the post. Schatz was sworn in Thursday, a day after beating out two other finalists, including Inouye’s choice, Democratic U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa of Hawaii.