The simple reality is that Becker ran a better race that peaked at the right time. He was far more experienced with campaigns in the city and understood the necessity of obsessive neighborhood campaigning and targeting people who will actually vote.

Ultimately, Becker won because he emerged as more experienced and substantive. Becker isn't the most exciting politician in the world, but he is acceptable to a wide swath of the political spectrum.

Keith Christensen had the most money, best resume and universal respect; why did he garner less than 10 percent in the primary?

Pignanelli: You can take the man out of the Republican Party, but you can't take the Republican Party out of the man. Anyone who encounters Christensen is impressed with his intelligence, experience and savvy. Unfortunately, he ran a GOP campaign in a Democratic city: The focus was on fund raising and not door-to-door personal contact. Money is secondary in a primary election where turnout is dominated by activists. This was an unfortunate situation. A stronger presence by Christensen could have driven better discussions regarding economic development.

Webb: Low-turnout municipal primaries absolutely demand full-time shoe leather in neighborhoods. Becker, Dave Buhler and Wilson all are incumbent office-holders with built-in constituencies and support groups. Christensen had to start from scratch and couldn't catch up.

What can we expect from Dave Buhler and Becker in the next seven weeks?

Pignanelli: Becker has a great retail politics campaign, but Buhler possesses the best media. Love Communications (led by Tom Love) developed brilliant and creative commercials to highlight Buhler's open personality. Indeed, Buhler's campaign has attracted national attention, and Love is now recognized as a PR force in Intermountain political campaigns. The general election is a long shot for Buhler, but I expect a flurry of creative advertisements and mailers from Love to attract Democrats. Becker will continue to motivate the city's predominant special interests, while reaching out to political moderates.

Webb: Becker is clearly the favorite. But he would make an enormous mistake to take a win for granted. That frontrunner position is dangerous, especially if supporters think a win is certain.

Buhler needs to run a near-perfect race, but that's not impossible. He must get every conservative and moderate voter to the polls. As a likable moderate Republican, Buhler is acceptable to a lot of moderate Democrats.