"Toxic" being the word used by the candidates and the question that was asked. (We can absolutely do better on things, especially in regards to the "traps" meme. I know I don't go out of my own way to say, "Hey, let's cut it out" and I know while I don't really care for that meme now, I also have joked around with it myself in the past/recent past. I can do better myself and I think the rest of the community can also do better as a whole, so we should try.)
BUT, TO BE ON TOPIC, Blooky is a strong contender. I like the idea of a newer forumer coming up as an underdog despite the "pedigree" of the other candidates, if you will (no, that wasn't a pun, eat my ass TC). Her empathetic position she took throughout the debate is a good one. Not much mudslinging that I saw.
The debate as a whole rode the line between shitposty joke to an actual full on debate about who we are as a community and where we wanna go from here if we intend to actually do something of substance and worth. Lumpy said it well a long time ago on Geek2, we need to actually have a reason for us to grow, something to grow around, as well as things we're all actively doing, pursuing, and making. How can we expect new members to join the community if there's nothing for the community to build itself around besides us as personalities. There's gotta be more there. In the past we very much failed to make a game happen, but I think the idea of streams, videos, articles, etc. is more than viable and we can definitely work towards it.
This is all to say, while I still don't see the role of mayor as being one with power, it's important to note that with the debate naturally and healthily taking on the serious, constructive tones it did, we're treating the election less like a joke, which is good, I feel, and speaks to what we want to try and do. Whoever people vote for in this election, them being mayor will be marked by that element of seriousness/earnest idea of moving forward and creating content, more so than people. Who have been mayor in the past.
I still think Mayor shouldn't have any actual forum power (they're not a mod or admin), but having that element of forward momentum, whatever you wanna call it, will naturally give the position more credibility. It's a good idea to keep it as a "role" that anyone can get if they go for it.
I may be over thinking things, but that's what came to me when I was listening to the debate and the posts since then.
So, that all said, I dunno, it's tough to say who's gonna win or how I wanna vote. My opinions of everyone are higher now than they were before, mostly because now I'm taking this more seriously overall for what it might mean in the near future of the forum. Blooky was originally going to be my vote since her party name is strong and it made me laugh, but with this debate, I dunno, I think things changed a little bit. That may just be me though and I understand if others think I'm taking this too far/too seriously.