It's fine for Gloucester voters to take a break from local electoral politics. After all, they got done with an election less than two months ago, and the next one isn't until next fall.

But those interested in being candidates need to think about the next local election now. So it is encouraging to see two people already floating their names as possible challengers to longtime state Rep. Anthony Verga, D-Gloucester.

Astrid af Klinteberg and Ann-Margaret Ferrante are both Democrats and both are lawyers. Both are complimentary of Verga, but say they believe they could do the job better.

Both would bring some political experience to the race - af Klinteberg is a former city councilor and Democratic Party activist, while Ferrante is a former campaign manager for outgoing Mayor John Bell.

Not surprisingly, Verga says his seven terms in the Legislature vastly outweigh the experience of his potential challengers.

And surely there will be much more for all parties to say during the next 10 months. But the point is, the people of the district benefit when there is serious competition for the right to represent them.

Incumbents generally have the advantage, but they are forced to sharpen and clarify their messages. They are forced to think about the votes they take. They are reminded that if they are not responsive to their constituents, voters will have the option to choose somebody else.

Challengers have the chance to offer a new vision, to hear what it is that matters to voters and what bothers them.

And voters are more likely to get drawn into the political process - a process that doesn't work very well when voters are not involved and informed.

Now it is up to Republicans to put some candidates in the field as well. And Verga should not be the only target. Both Democrats and Republicans should contest the longtime incumbency of state Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester.

No Statehouse seat should go uncontested. It's bad for democracy. And the time to start thinking about launching a campaign is now.