Recent elections offered few new themes, trends

For several days, political pundits have exhausted their audiences with extensive reviews and analysis of last week's political events. Your columnists feel compelled to pile on.

Are there any trends or significant developments that occurred in the recent Utah municipal elections?

Webb: These were just sober local elections in a down economy with outcomes determined mostly by local issues and the quality of candidates. There were no overarching themes, big trends or lessons to learn. Voters weren't in a "throw-the-bums-out" mood. Lots of incumbents were re-elected. Voters in Salt Lake City, at least, demonstrated a willingness to increase their own taxes if they think the money will go for a good purpose. But that sentiment may not apply outside the liberal capital city. Some big school bonds passed, but voters understood these would continue current tax levels and not raise taxes. It was mostly a status-quo election.

Pignanelli: Prior to the election, pundits were predicting an "anti-incumbent" dynamic that would dominate municipal and local elections. For the past several months, a number of incumbent mayors and council members faced competition from challengers riding the wave of general grumpiness of citizens toward government. However, with some notable exceptions, most incumbents were returned to office. The most noteworthy trend is the increase in early and mail-in voting that is occurring even in lower turnout elections. This continues to change the strategy of candidates in communicating with their voters. Last-minute "October surprises" in the mail or on the radio are no longer effective because so many voters have already been to the polls. Further, candidates are structuring their tactics to promote and influence early voters. This was a prime feature in all the tight races this year.

What is the impact of the departure by Attorney General Mark Shurtleff from the U.S. Senate race?

Webb: Mark Shurtleff deserves praise for choosing family over higher office. We wish his daughter well. Shurtleff and his family are also providing an enormous public service by being willing to discuss these family health matters publicly. Mental illness, including depression, needs better public understanding and higher visibility. The Shurtleff family is contributing greatly to that improved awareness.

It's getting rather late for other Republicans to enter the Senate race unless they are willing to drop a few million dollars of their own money into the contest. Party caucuses are little more than four months away, and Bob Bennett already has an enormous lead in fundraising and grass-roots organizing. Bennett is the clear favorite to win.