The trend of candidates running unopposed for the Wisconsin state Legislature has been reversed.

An analysis by the website Wispolitics.com shows only 25 Assembly or state Senate incumbents lack opponents as of Monday. The number of unopposed incumbents is already below the 2006 election and could be the lowest since 1996; candidates have until July 8 to file nomination papers with the Wisconsin State Elections Board.

This is very good news for state government and local democracy. It appears both political parties, especially the Democrats, have abandoned the idea that only competitive or “swing” seats are worth contesting. Assembly Democrats used to cede districts en masse; 18 Assembly Republicans had no opponent in 2000, and 20 Republicans were unopposed in 2004, when one Republican, Robin Vos of Racine, won an open seat without an opponent in the primary or general election.

In 2008, Democrats appear to have candidates in 94 of 99 Assembly Districts. Some question the Democrats’ strategy -- Republican Party of Wisconsin Executive Director Mark Jefferson said Democrats who run in heavily Republican districts boost conservative turnout -- but it’s good for voters and good for democracy. Voters in Waukesha and Waupaca need to hear the Democratic message. Voters in Madison and Superior need to hear the Republican message. Elections are about more than confirming existing beliefs; they’re about candidates who express convictions and attempt to change minds.

Many obstacles still thwart competitive races. Lawmakers get to draw their districts in a way that either favors incumbents or one party over the other. Incumbents normally enjoy overwhelming name-recognition and fund-raising advantages. And many qualified people never consider running for public office, especially partisan office, because it’s almost certain they’ll subject themselves and their families to a nasty and personal campaign.

Even if most challenges are longshots, any campaign is better than no campaign. Besides, many races that were initially thought to be uncompetitive in 2006 turned into stunning upsets on election night. This fall, most Wisconsin voters will have a choice when they cast their ballots for state Legislature. It’s the very least citizens should expect when they walk into the voting booth.