Re-election.

Tom Dolan has "got to be feeling fairly good about the timing," said Quin Monson, assistant director of Brigham Young University's Center for the Study of Elections and Democracy. "I would assume this will help Mayor Dolan" as he seeks a fourth term in the Nov. 8 election.

At the same time, could Real Salt Lake's decision hurt the two losing mayors in the soccer-stadium chase?

Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson hasn't decided whether to seek a third term in 2007. But if he does, the capital's failure to deliver a stadium in a city that was admittedly the team's first choice could become an issue, along with Anderson's shaky standing on Utah's Capitol Hill.

Two-term Murray Mayor Dan Snarr faces a more immediate challenge as he is on the ballot next month.

Early on, an RSL-commissioned poll of county residents showed Murray's proposed central location for a stadium enjoyed more support than the downtown Salt Lake City's sites.

But Murray didn't even make it to the final cut in the stadium sweepstakes. RSL owner Dave Checketts eliminated the city in early September, saying, "Frankly, we haven't heard much from Murray. They haven't been as aggressive as Salt Lake City and Sandy have been."

Snarr's opponent, Salt Lake County Councilman David Wilde, won't say the Murray mayor blew it. But Wilde - who says he was ambivalent about Murray's stadium prospects - does hint that he has more connections that could prove beneficial.

"I know some people at the Legislature that could help Murray," Wilde said.

Snarr maintains that Murray - like Salt Lake City - was handicapped from the start in its pursuit of the soccer stadium.

Sandy officials got $18 million "right out of the chute," he said, referring to money set aside to expand parking at the South Towne Exposition Center that could be tapped - at least in part - to buy land for the stadium near 9400 S. State St.

"We could never come up with that," Snarr said.

The mayor also couldn't promise to buy land for the team after the City Council ruled out any funding for such a purchase even though the property's price tag - $3 million for 15 acres - was dirt cheap compared with the parcels in Sandy and Salt Lake City.

Whether Murray voters will punish Snarr at the polls over the stadium loss may depend on whether Wilde makes it an issue, Monson says.

Snarr emerged from this month's primary with a 16-percentage-point cushion over Wilde, but the incumbent did fall short of 50 percent in a four-way contest for the $82,680-a-year mayoral job.

In Sandy, Dolan eclipsed 53 percent in the primary - 14 percentage points ahead of Gary T. Forbush - but the three-term mayor still finds himself locked in his closest political battle in a decade.

Observers say Dolan's ability to snag the stadium for Sandy - capitalizing on his tight ties in the county and at the Capitol - is sure to help cement his image as a major player.

"Even if people aren't that interested in soccer, it provides concrete evidence that Mayor Dolan can get things done," Monson said.

That's what Dolan says he is hoping for as he seeks to keep his $104,000-a-year mayoral post.

Forbush argues that the actual costs and benefits to the city from the $60 million to $75 million stadium - especially given the fuzzy funding - remain to be seen. He also questions how the deal was done.

"For me, the concern is the deal-making continues," Forbush said. "It feels a lot like the gravel pit."

That's another wild card in the Sandy election. The 107-acre pit is slated to be developed with a Super Wal-Mart, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse and other stores, housing and open space. Forbush, who opposes the project, contends a controversial rezone paving the way for The Boyer Co.'s plans was hammered out in secret long before public hearings ever happened. Dolan, who backs Boyer's development, and other city leaders deny that allegation.

Besides choosing the next mayor next month, Sandy voters also will decide whether the rezone stands. A residents group, Save Our Communities, forced a referendum on the issue.

RSL maintains it didn't time its stadium unveiling - a month before voters cast their ballots - with electoral politics in mind. Team CEO Dean Howes, who attended Dolan's candidacy announcement, says he doubts it will matter anyway.

"I think Mayor Dolan will be elected either way."

jsantini@sltrib.com