Weak challenges

Weak challenges
Uninspiring local races suggest that term limits are unwise restrictions

Oct. 28, 2000

The best reason we can think of for repealing term limits for county offices is the fact that this year, in races that draw from a local pool of candidates, the challengers are somewhat less than compelling.

Two county commissioners are defending their offices, only a short time after a controversial decision on a gravel pit up the Dolores River brought a considerable amount of criticism down on their heads. Their responsible decision to work within the political system regarding a national conservation area had already angered some very vocal constituents. If there’s ever been an election when complex issues and volatile public opinion made the incumbents easy targets for replacement, this was the one.

But have strong candidates stepped forward to challenge them? The two men running against them have stated substantially different positions on some key issues, but they haven’t managed to demonstrate convincingly that they’d do a better job of governing the county. The incumbents, Kelly Wilson and Kent Lindsay, have considerable experience behind them. Their awareness of the realities of rural government is an asset, and their challengers, Darrell Veach and Tony Valdez, have offered little to counterbalance that.

Likewise, Joe Olt, who is challenging Mike Green for the district attorney’s office, gives no clear appearance of being a stronger candidate. Green has obvious weaknesses, but that doesn’t automatically translate into strengths for Olt. There are many people who are critical of Green, but that doesn’t make them capable of doing his job any better than he has. The DA’s position is a difficult one, with legal limitations that aren’t necessarily apparent to the average voter, and the incumbent is a lightning rod for criticism not only of his own effectiveness but of the legal system in general.

In a third local race, that for the House District 59 seat currently held by Mark Larson, a strong challenger is also lacking. Larson is doing a good job and there’s no reason to replace him, but the fact that no one is seriously attempting to unseat him suggests that ambitious local candidates can pick their races very carefully, rather than having to claw their way through a mass of office-seekers. A similar situation has applied to Jim Dyer, who previously held the District 59 seat and who is now our state senator. Few serious challenges were mounted; little illuminating political debate was held.

The county commissioners are the only candidates on this year’s ballot who would be affected by term limits on county offices; other rules come into play for district attorneys and state legislators. The candidate pools are similar, though. Local talent is in high demand. The opportunity to vote an incumbent out of office is always available, but surely the option of keeping a good candidate is worth preserving, especially in local races where word of mouth counteracts all the advantages of incumbency.