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EDGEWATER -- Back in the day, 1948, big league manager Leo Durocher coined the phrase, "Nice guys finish last." But then again, Durocher also said, "I come to win."
On primary night, first-term Edgewater Councilman Justin Kennedy indeed finished last in the three-way race for the dist. 3 seat on the Volusia County Council. And there's no doubt he's a nice guy, too.
Now think about Durocher's second quote above. Kennedy experienced the thrill of victory just two short years ago when he won the race for Edgewater councilman after paying his dues on the planning board. On Tuesday night, came his agony of defeat.
But in a way, he still came out ahead in the game of politics. He doesn't need a campaign sign for people to put the name with the face.
Kennedy's candidacy was first class all the way. He did everything right. He was honest, forthcoming, and had the love and support of his friends and family, especially his wife.
So why did he lose? He didn't have the resume of his more experienced opponents. And without the resume, it's harder to overcome what more experienced candidates can mask weaknesses with: A laundry list of achievements, regardless of substance or relevance.
Running for office is like applying for that first big job. It's who you know and what you can sell, on paper at least.
What Kennedy will realize as time goes on is it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game. He got a tutorial and he's wiser for it.
Justin Kennedy represents the new blood. He's got game and he proved it by daring to challenge two more experienced foes. And like the quest for the Super Bowl, in the Nov. 6 general election, one of those two remaining combatants will lose. And that will likely mean it's time for that runner up to hang it up for good.
Kennedy may not realize it now, but he's a player. He got knocked out of the box earlier than he had hoped, but in the long run, he's better for it. He's got game.
Primary winner Jim Hathaway, an 18-year New Smyrna Beach city commissioner, knows it. And so does primary runner-up, Deb Deny's, who won election to the Volusia County School Board back in the '90s. They will fight for the prize in November.
Next time around, though, whenever Kennedy decides to strap on the helmet and lace up the boots, whether in two years or four, he'll be the one with the thicker resume. Yes, he lost this primary, but he has another couple of lines filled on his resume: He was in the game.
Without a doubt, more people now know the name "Justin Kennedy" and the face that goes with it.
By virtue of his maiden run for countywide office, Kennedy won't need to stand by a campaign sign for the voting public to match the name with the face to get back in the game again -- and win.