Lower-level local politicians are probably the main issue. They're often paid so little it's effectively only a career option for the already-wealthy. And when

Lower-level local politicians are probably the main issue. They're often paid so little it's effectively only a career option for the already-wealthy. And when that's the path towards the high-level, reasonably paid positions, it biases your pool a lot. (Not unlike industries with an expectation of a long period of unpaid internships in high cost-of-living areas)