Impressions from the opening month of candidate forums for what some are calling the Magnificent Seven, the lady and gentleman seeking three City Council seats on April 12:
Nearly all seven had done their homework before deciding to seek office.
Nearly all are comprehensively informed about the daily rhythms of City Hall. With timepiece precision they can tell you what is wrong and their solutions.
Nearly all seven could deliver day-long seminars on their beliefs, experiences and intentions for the coming four years.
The almost equally erudite articulation of Daniel Lee, Thomas Small, Goran Eriksson and Scott Wyant makes covering the seven strands of campaigning an uplifting experience.
Their separate personalities and philosophies will be x-rayed later this week.
Without a Trump in sight, any of the four could convince an opposite-minded voter to cross the bridge and vote for him.
That leaves Marcus Tiggs, Councilperson Meghan Sahli-Wells and former police officer Jay Garocochea.
When an obviously intellectually well-heeled candidate such as the bankruptcy attorney Mr. Tiggs runs his campaign on low-key conversational rails, it is baffling to observers anxious to weigh his standing.
Political watchers are trained to evaluate forceful, voluble types, even occasional table-pounders.
Ms. Sahli-Wells is a politician with a wall-sized array of accomplishments/beliefs that she has not aggressively pursued – puzzlingly — this electoral season.
Why? She was a terrific candidate in ’12, and there are six weeks to go.
Mr. Garocochea, the unquestioned Mr. Nice Guy in a field of nice people, has been playing catch-up.
My family and I wholeheartedly endorse and support Jay Garacochea for City Council. Jay has a kind heart and gentle spirit while emanating strength and loyalty. He is passionate about this great City he has served for 20 years. He lives in the community and I know he will make a wonderful community leader.