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Primary's True Candidates Take Shape
Posted 3-1-1999
With the date to file petitions nearing quickly, it will be interesting to see how the
race for County Commissioner and the other county-wide races shape up. As everyone knows
by now, I am the only incumbent running and the dynamics of the Commissioner race will be
quite different than 1995. Without knowing political history for certain, I'd venture to
say it has been a long time since there were two open seats for Commissioner.
Frankly what issues emerge and what
candidates mount serious campaigns, remains to be seen. I think none of the folks who
picked up petitions and may file them, have experienced a competitive, high-profile race
like the one for County Commissioner. Unlike row officer elections, and even the race for
judge, where issues and ideas for public policy aren't that prominent, candidates for
County Commissioner face a different set of circumstances.
The news media will expect candidates to be
able to articulate ideas, there may be editorial board interviews, and there will be four
debates sponsored by the League of Women Voters. I watched the 1995 election really evolve
into a three person race, myself and the two incumbents, as it became clear that some
other challengers either lacked a grasp of issues, the resources to mount a real
county-wide campaign, or the motivation to commit fully to the rigors of an election. What
will happen in this primary should start to become clear during the month of March.
Even the Republican primary is shaping up
to be a competitive race. That's if most of the folks who picked up petitions follow
through and file them. With Terry Marolt not running, their side is wide open and could
end up as heated as our side. Their candidates too have little experience dealing with the
media and none have been through a competitive primary.
I think the electorate is wise enough to
determine which candidates are serious about the job, which have relevant experience, and
which ones are on the ballot for some other reason. Having been through enough campaigns
either as a candidate or running a campaign, I'm primed and ready to go. I never really
stopped going places after taking office, so I'm confident my name recognition is higher
than 1995. Obviously, as an officeholder I've cast votes that made some folks happy and
some not happy, but I believe the electorate appreciates my consistent effort to bring
fiscal responsibility and sound public sector management practices to county government.
By being at work every day, I appreciate the complexities of trying to manage a $217
million operation with 2,000 employees.
I think that may be the central issue of
the campaign, who do the voters of the county have confidence in to manage an entity as
diverse and dynamic as county government. Stay tuned as we see who files petitions, what
ballot position candidates receive, and how this election begins to shape up. I'll
continue to share my perceptions as the only incumbent on the ballot. |
