Hans Rüger, Karl Eyerkaufer, Erich Pipa and Thorsten Stolz: Four men, the first from the CDU, the other three Social Democrats, have been district administrators at the head of the Main-Kinzig district founded in 1974.

On Sunday in the district elections, a woman, the Christian Democrat Gabriele Stenger, is preparing to break the series of men.

As the new district administrator in the Main-Kinzig district, she is already presenting herself confidently on her posters.

But it's not that far yet.

Luise Glaser-Lotz

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung for the Main-Kinzig district.

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The social democrat Thorsten Stolz promotes himself with the statement “Our district is in good hands”.

The incumbent district administrator thus sums up the past six years of his term of office aptly for most citizens in Hesse's most populous district.

Immediately after his election, Stolz set about ensuring solid political conditions in the district.

What his party friend and predecessor Erich Pipa failed to do, Stolz did with patience and political flair: He united the SPD and CDU into a grand coalition that has functioned well to this day and without any spectacular disputes.

The danger that the AfD could be the decisive factor in political decisions was averted.

Pride can be forceful, but not use the wrong tone.

A difficult task

Stenger and Stolz are the only two candidates for the important office.

A leftist who had announced his candidacy did not submit an application to the county government by the deadline.

Possible candidates from other parties also didn't dare to do what Stenger dares: to challenge the popular incumbent.

This is also a difficult undertaking for the CDU woman, because attacks against the incumbent district administrator and the SPD would fall back on their own coalition partner.

After all, it is also about continuing the coalition peacefully and constructively after the district election.

In addition, the political preferences and attitudes are not far apart on most issues.

The otherwise largely harmonious spirits only differ on the founding of their own housing association by the district.

Due to the early election date - Stolz's first term of office does not end until June - the candidate does not have much time to make herself known.

Since presenting her candidacy in September, she has been busy traveling around the district, rushing from one visit to companies, clubs and organizations to the next.

The Hanau resident knows that the party leadership is behind her.

All of the party's regional officials were present at her official presentation as a candidate and praised Stenger's merits.

Srita Heide, who ran for the CDU in the last district election, had not experienced such demonstrative support.

Nonetheless, she took second place after Stolz among five competitors.

Like Heide then, Stenger is a city councilor in Hanau, but politically it's more of a blank slate.

At Stenger's presentation, it was said that the intention was to fly the flag in the election.

But none of the top politicians wanted to do it, as the prospects of overtaking the incumbent are considered to be rather low.

It doesn't matter that the applicant has no experience in administration or a leading political office, because it gives her an unbiased, fresh look at the structures.

In addition, as an entrepreneur, she is well versed in economic issues.