Despite tight election year, some area races boast only one candidate

Incumbent candidates who are running unopposed enjoy some obvious advantages — and no, that doesn't mean they can spend the work day lounging around in a smoking jacket, pipe in hand.
    Unopposed candidates can afford not to mount re-election campaigns, which means they can spend more time focusing on the job they were elected to perform.
    But there are also some advantages to having an opponent, which forces the candidate to get out in the community and campaign.
    District Judge Van Hampton's bid for re-election drew a challenge in the 2000 primary election from his Republican opponent, Terry Malone. Hampton won the primary and had no opposition in the general election.
    Four years ago, Hampton faced a challenge in the general election from Democratic attorney Leslie Hess. He defeated Hess, winning a third four-year term.
    This year, Hampton said he was relieved that he had not drawn an opponent in either the primary or the general election.
    "I believe now, after going through two opposed elections, that it's better to not have opposition," he said. "It really didn't add anything to the office."
    The judge, who is seeking his fourth term this year, said there is one advantage to having an opponent: It reminds candidates that voters are watching and holding them accountable.

Running without a
challenger
    Hampton is one of eight candidates on the county and state levels who have no opponent in the general election. Most of them are incumbents, including Ford County Commission Chairman Kim Goodnight and Commissioner Terry Williams.
    Other unopposed incumbents on the county level include Register of Deeds Brenda Pogue, Treasurer Debra Pennington and Sheriff Dean Bush.
    Hampton and District Judge Leigh Hood, who is also unopposed this year, are state office-holders.
    Incoming Ford County Clerk Sharon Seibel won the Republican primary election in August and is unopposed in November.
    Goodnight said he thinks that voters must approve of his performance, since he has not drawn an opponent this year.
    "Part of me thinks that I feel somewhat privileged in the fact that I must be doing something right," said Goodnight, who will begin his third four-year term in January. "In retrospect, I also understand there's a need to get people involved in government and encourage people to run. So I guess it's almost a two-sided issue when you look at it that way."
    He said one drawback to an uncontested race is that it drains some of the urgency from the election.
    Goodnight last had an opponent in the 2000 primary election but not in the general election. He has served as chairman of the commission for several years.

Fewer choices
    But a shortage of contested races may not be good for voters, who miss out on the chance to compare candidates' positions on local issues.
    Ford County Clerk Vicki Wells said as a voter, she feels disappointed when the ballot includes a number of uncontested races.
    "I feel like that's what elections are about — to make choices for the best person," said Wells, who is not seeking re-election because she is retiring in January. "And if you don't have that choice, then you're just not given that opportunity."
    Wells said it was difficult to tell whether the lack of competitive races in a given election is due to voters' satisfaction with incumbents, or whether it stems from a lack of interest in running among potential challengers.
    She said most contested races in Ford County, which is heavily Republican, tend to occur in primary elections.
   
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or e-mail him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.