And if the final matchup is Buhler and Jenny Wilson, Buhler has to turn back an electoral tide that has been running long and strong for decades.

Of course, both Jenny Wilson and Buhler have to get past Tuesday.

And in recent interviews, both believe they are likely to do so — again, with the caveat that primary elections are notoriously fickle.

Twice, Dave Jones, a former Utah House member from Salt Lake, finished third in the city's primary mayoral election by less than 100 votes. And Jones may have been a favorite to win the final if he could have just gotten past that darn primary.

All of the four major candidates would make good mayors, I believe.

I don't see the adversarial or ideological traits of current Mayor Rocky Anderson in any of them.

Buhler may be the most conservative of the four. But that's not saying much, as he's proved himself a reasonable guy in his other elected offices. (One of Buhler's main campaign themes, in fact, is that he's a reasonable guy.)

So, if you have an election on Tuesday, get out there and vote.

Politicians like to say that government closest to the people is the best government. And that's what's on the ballot next week.

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Deseret Morning News political editor Bob Bernick Jr. may be reached by e-mail at bbjr@desnews.com