Political Solitaire

Regardless of Maureen O’Connor’s merits as mayor of San Diego, it’s unfortunate that she will run for reelection with little opposition.

With County Supervisor Susan Golding’s decision last week not to run against O’Connor, the only significant challenger the mayor faces is Floyd Morrow, who polled 19% of the vote in the 1986 race for mayor.

For one of the nation’s largest cities, such a political vacuum is unusual.

But in San Diego County, incumbents seem reluctant to challenge each other. Not only does O’Connor seem to be a shoo-in, but the San Diego city attorney, three county supervisors, four congressmen and the area’s state legislators up for reelection this year face limited or no opposition. In the last five years, incumbents have run against each other in only a handful of major local races.

The reasons are several, no doubt. Some political observers say that San Diego’s politicians are too genteel and laid back; others blame more practical restraints, such as the cost of campaigns and the political makeup of many districts.

Whatever the reasons, such a faint-hearted political climate fails to hone and weed leaders. Formidable challengers force an incumbent to defend his or her record, giving voters a basis for evaluating policies and programs, as well as leaders.

As the problems facing the city and the county grow increasingly complex, and the solutions more expensive and elusive, strong leadership will be critical.

So while there is a part of us that enjoys the easygoing political pace here, we question whether an attitude of waiting for a vacancy to run is likely to foster the leadership the county needs.

O’Connor and the other incumbents may be easy winners this year, but the city and the county may be losers in the long run.