Commentary: A thinner field of candidates would benefit us all

Friday is the final day for City Council candidates to file papers to qualify for the November 2014 election.

I know firsthand how difficult it is to decide to run for office. Such a decision should be made only after careful consideration of the reasons to run and with complete support from family, friends and neighbors.

Having a support system and name recognition is what gets a candidate elected, above and beyond the person’s vision for the community, qualifications and track record. I respect and appreciate those who decide to run, provided they run with the sole purpose of making a contribution for the good of the entire community, not just select groups or for themselves.

For everyone in Costa Mesa who is dissatisfied with the current council majority’s system of governance and the direction it has taken the city over the past several years, this is a critical election. We must all work together to support the most qualified, well-rounded candidates to defeat the incumbents for the two open seats. Like any necessary change, it is only successful when people work together. Too many people candidates flood the electoral stage and split votes.

The harsh reality is that many people cast votes without taking any time to educate themselves on the issues and the candidates. A perfect example of this can be seen in the 2012 election, when a candidate submitted papers to run and then withdrew from the race after the close of the filing period so his name appeared on the ballot.

He never campaigned or took part in the pre-election events, yet he received 2.7% of the votes cast. He got 2,449 votes. Nine candidates were vying for three open seats, and the difference between being elected and coming in fourth was 155 votes or 0.1% of voters.

I don’t want this to happen again.

Costa Mesa deserves council members who are willing to set ego and personal gain aside and do the right thing for our community. There is no shame in not running after announcing your intent to do so. In fact, it shows that a person is in a race for the right reason if he or she can step aside and support someone equally or more qualified with a better chance of success. I did it in 2012, and I’m not sorry. It was the right thing to do.

I am begging all potential candidates who are not well versed in city issues, are running only to shed light on one issue of personal importance or are lacking endorsements and the support of their peers in the community to please do the right thing.

Support the best chance for the change you claim is needed. Do the noble thing, the right thing, and step aside to give the candidates with the best chance of being elected the ability to do just that. If you aren’t willing to put self-interest aside, you are no better than what you claim to be fighting against.

SUE LESTER ran for Costa Mesa City Council in 2010 and 2012, but dropped out of the latter race to support other candidates.