Suddenly, we have a mayor’s race.

Last Sunday, incumbent Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino announced his bid to seek reelection. A day later, newly retired 2nd Circuit Court Chief Judge Richard “Rick” Bissen tossed his hat into the ring.

Going by name recognition, this has the makings of a heavyweight bout. And the fight card may not be completely set. No doubt, other political pugilists are contemplating joining the fray. The island’s rumor mill has at least one high-profile candidate emerging from the Maui County Council. Will the people who organized an unsuccessful effort to have Victorino recalled put forth a candidate to run against him? Could there be a surprise entry from Maui’s political past?

Whoever ends up on the ballot for the primary election on Aug. 13, we salute their efforts to participate in the democratic process. It takes guts, community spirit and a healthy dose of ego to run for office. Candidates must be willing to answer tough questions and to have their past decisions dissected and challenged. In a mayor’s race, it means raising money and building alliances, while, hopefully, not becoming improperly beholden.

Past Maui elections have not seen a lot of mudslinging or negative campaigning. Candidates have stuck to the issues and concentrated on building their cases, not tearing their opponents down. Considering the first two to commit to the race, we would expect that laudable tradition to continue.

Maui County’s last election was held in 2020, early in the pandemic. The socially distanced times gave incumbents a sizable advantage over their challengers. COVID-19 put the kibosh on traditional techniques of building momentum through rallies, debates, sign-waving and knocking on doors.

One hopes the pandemic is mostly behind us by election time, but two years in and with Maui coronavirus hospitalizations rising, it is anybody’s guess what obstacles the candidates will face. Ideally, these next months will be an extended interview for the island’s most important job. Before voters fill out their ballots, they should have a clear understanding of where the candidates stand on Maui County’s key issues, including tourism, housing, climate change, challenges Native Hawaiians face, homelessness and Upcountry water.

Victorino has had four years to lay his cards on the table. He will have ample opportunity to tout his successes and defend the decisions that ruffled feathers. The unfolding pandemic provided unexpected challenges and speed bumps, as well as opportunities to spotlight his leadership front and center.

Bissen has spent 34 years in government service, primarily as a judge and prosecutor. We look forward to hearing his vision for Maui and learning what ultimately prompted his candidacy. Other hopefuls who enter will also have cases to make.

The primary’s top-two vote-getters advance to the Nov. 8 general election. This run for mayor promises to be an intriguing race.