Even Carlbad Gets It

When Carlsbad filled a council vacancy one of the characteristics they used to select their replacement was whether or not the applicant would agree to not run as an incumbent in the following election IF appointed to the council.

Here is part of Mayor Bud's powerpoint which explains why Nygaard should (and was) appointed:

For those who won't click and enlarge it, it says:

• Nygaard promised not to run in the following election, so she wouldn't be handed an "incumbent advantage" by a council majority.
• Thus, an environment for a "fair election" is created.

People understand the fairness angle. It can be explained in one sentence.