Incumbent San Bernardino City Attorney Jim Penman won a relatively close re-election yesterday against two opponents determined to dislodge penman from the position he has held for twenty years.

Jim Penman's challengers were local attorney Marianne Milligan and San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris. Milligan, though, was the only candidate on the ballot, but Morris made the defeat of penman his top priority.

For a candidate for pubic office in citywide election where she has only resided for two years, Marianne Milligan ran a very sharp and credible campaign. Her message - that Penman is a divisive figure who inserts himself in politics when, perhaps, he should not - clearly resonated with nearly half of San Bernatrdino (as evidenced by her strong showing). While her website and debate performances were downright awful, Milligan's campaign mail, endorsement roster, and fundraising (still the most important aspects of any modern political campaign) were exemplary that nearly resulted in a win for the neophyte candidate.

Of course, much of Milligan's strength stems from the dogged determination of Mayor Pat Morris to unseat Jim Penman. Still, Milligan has plenty of credentials of her own on which she ran. Keep an eye on Marianne Milligan, if she can build on the base she established in 2007; should she try again for local public office, she very well may prevail.

Overall: Milligan's run was quite impressive for a first-time candidate in a citywide race.

Jim Penman, on the other hand, bounced back from a crushing defeat just one-and-a-half years ago. In early 2006, Penman lost to candidate Pat Morris by a lopsided margin. At Morris' election night victory party in downtown San Bernardino, numerous Morris supporters were already openly hoping for a Penman defeat in 2007.

So, what went right for Jim Penman this time?

Organization and preparation.

From day one, Penman took the challenge to his position very seriously. Even without knowing who his anointed challenger would be (at one point, Tim Prince's name was bandied about), Penman prepared for a grueling fight that ultimately would come.

Also to his benefit, Jim Penman quickly enlisted Sacramento-based political consultant Chris Jones to guide his re-election campaign. Jones' strategy involved a low-cost cable television ad, terrific mail, an opposition research effort, and quick responses to Milligan/Morris attacks for which Penman always seemed well-prepared.

As Penman's political detectors were determined at portraying the five-term incumbent as divisive, mean and petty; at public forums Penman appeared calm, steady, and stoic with a desire to "work together" with both his supporters and his opponents. Penman's message of cooperation was at odds with his opponent's depictions of him as a negative force in city governance.

At the end of the day, Jim Penman prevailed by a surprisingly narrow margin, as voters ultimately seemed cautious on taking a chance on an unknown quantity.

Next two years at San Bernardino City Hall should be entertaining.