Downballot doldrums

ON THE NOV. 7 ballot, the lower constitutional offices this year offer an exercise in third-party politics. The incumbent secretary of state, treasurer, and auditor -- all Democrats -- face opposition, but not from any Republican. This in itself is an indictment of the state GOP: The Green-Rainbow Party, counting its gubernatorial slate, is fielding candidates for four constitutional offices, while Republicans are only contesting three.

Secretary of State William Galvin, a 12-year incumbent, is facing Green-Rainbow candidate Jill Stein of Lexington, a doctor and environmental health advocate who ran for governor four years ago.

Treasurer Timothy Cahill, seeking a second term, is being challenged by James O'Keefe of Somerville, also a Green-Rainbow nominee, a software engineer who also ran against Cahill and a Republican in 2002.

Auditor Joseph DeNucci, seeking another term after 20 years on the job, faces Working Families Party challenger Rand Wilson, a labor organizer from Somerville who at age 53 is a first-time candidate.

In general, we are skeptical of third parties. Many promote single issues or narrow agendas. They can threaten precious democratic institutions; no one doubts that history would be different if Ralph Nader had not been on the Florida ballot in 2000.

At the same time, third parties organized to attract broad support can effectively challenge established parties that have become ossified and lost voter respect. Connecticut, Maine, and Vermont all elected independents or third-party candidates in recent years, and the same could happen here. But none of these challengers has advanced a compelling reason to unseat the incumbent.

While Stein decries lobbyists and influence peddling on Beacon Hill, Galvin has a solid record of conducting elections and advancing state interests with the Census.

While O'Keefe wants the treasurer to make corporations more socially responsible, Cahill says his priority is the best return on state investments. He has also shown leadership on the financing of school construction.

While Wilson talks of jobs and healthcare, he admits his priority is to build the Working Families Party. DeNucci's office continues to churn out significant audits, including one recently on child support enforcement.

At least these challengers are raising issues. Weak competition for statewide offices is regrettable, but it is better than none.