From Deseret News archives:
Lessons of a mayoral race
It was a true horse race, with four candidates ultimately emerging from a field of nine hopefuls. As of last week, pollsters said the race among three of the four front-runners was too close to call.
Unlike previous mayoral races, where candidates had downplayed their respective political affiliations while competing for the nonpartisan position, many candidates in this race relied on their respective party connections to build support.
Whether voters in November select primary victors Democrat Ralph Becker or Republican Dave Buhler in the general election, Salt Lakers win. Here's why: Both have strong legislative credentials, which means either can improve the strained relationship between City Hall and the state Capitol.
Both are reasonable men, so much so that Buhler campaigned on that attribute. Becker, as House minority leader, has long been a voice of reason in the Utah Legislature.
Time will tell what role outgoing Mayor Rocky Anderson had in the outcome of the primary election. His early endorsement of Keith Christensen did not lend any political advantage to Christensen.
The pundits will continue to debate whether Anderson's concerns about parents of young children seeking the position of mayor undermined Jenny Wilson's campaign.
Anderson also took on Buhler, saying he would not pursue programs or zoning changes opposed by his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ultimately, this may have worked to Buhler's advantage. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints owns this newspaper.)
Whatever the case, the voters have spoken. It's a new race, and a host of challenges and opportunities await the eventual winner. There are fences to mend and the redevelopment of downtown Salt Lake City to help oversee. There is an expectation that the next mayor of Salt Lake City will consider the business of the city his highest priority.
We have great confidence that Becker or Buhler has the capacity to lead Salt Lake City to greater heights.
Recent comments
Perhaps the biggest lesson learned from the mayoral race is not to...
Bear-rug | Sept. 13, 2007 at 3:57 p.m.
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime 1:11 a.m.
- UVU beats SUU; USU wins big 12:57 a.m.
- BYU spikers end season with a loss 12:55 a.m.
- Iverson may be headed to 76ers 12:34 a.m.
- Credit Coug defense for win 12:33 a.m.
- Aggies blow away T-birds 12:32 a.m.
- Mo steals show in Cavaliers' victory 12:31 a.m.
- Editorial: Facilitate Big Brother? 12:22 a.m.
- Mom befriends wife of PTSD vet 12:21 a.m.
- Political clash over U.S. debt 12:21 a.m.
- Cave to be sealed with body inside
- Predicting the unpredictable: BYU wins
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
- Vegas, Poinsettia bowls or bust
- BYU football: 5 keys to victory
- Glover gives Utes last-second upset
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
- Cougars turn back Wildcats'
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- BYU is champion of the state
- Cougars beat Utes in overtime
396 - Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
150 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
136 - Cave to be sealed with body inside
115 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
115 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
113 - Rivalry Week is highly profane
88 - Hall's legacy measured today
75 - Y. focused on 10-win season
73 - Letters: C02 causes warming
70
watch out for next year for sure, the negatives are just closet (and...
And something else, I generally follow players from the state schools when...
I could care less that Max Hall said what he did. The feeling is mutual BYU...
Dear Max, probably could have done without that comment. Probably would've...
As a Utah fan, let me first say congratulations to Max Hall, the Cougars, and...
Geno's and Pat's are good.. but, they are mostly for tourists, the real...
(You even got a middle initial... how's that for 'ya Max) It's nice to see...
Even today, I still cannot get enough of this movie or Charles Gitonga Maina....
...disappointed with Max Hall's comments that he hates everything about UofU....
Over the last few days I read comments of people complaining about tasteless...

