[SamAdams76]

Absolutely, these nonpartisan elections are the worst. Nobody knows anything about any of the candidates, so it depends whose name is first or who has a more interesting (or ethnic) name.

In Massachusetts, a common tactic for an incumbent was to run a shill with the Kennedy surname in the primaries. This would effectively split the vote of the opposition, ensuring re-election.

[moog]

I am glad that at least my small city elections are nonpartisan. I would hate for them to become political brouhahas over issues that have nothing to do with my city at all like it is in the bigger cities and counties around here. I am grateful to live in a city where most of the officials have at least some integrity. Politicians with integrity are becoming an endangered species in these parts.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

There was a guy named John F. Kennedy who had been a school janitor who was elected Treasurer of the Great Commonwealth in the 1960's, IIRC.