Who are our leaders?

That era is over, and a new one is only just emerging. My own informal survey says there is no such easily identifiable list. Politics, policy-making, indeed, power and influence, are in a state of flux in San Mateo County.

We are witnessing a changing of the guard — the departure of long-established, well-known influencers who have been key in the political advancement of others and in moving policy outcomes affecting the most important issues facing county residents.

Over the last several weeks, I have asked just this question: Who are the 10, 15, 20 most influential leaders in the county? I asked my own list of people whose opinions and experience in the public arena I hold in high regard. I promised them anonymity so they could speak freely and frankly. There is nothing formal or scientific about who I chose to ask or how they chose to answer.

This is fitting, because, in the end, we are talking about reputation — something that cannot be quantified. Influence is earned by behavior, by impact, by presence. We know it when we see it. They are the go-to people. When someone wants to launch a policy initiative, they are people whose support is sought early and is considered essential for progress. The same is true for someone who wants to run for office, and support or discouragement from these key players can make or break a candidacy.

A few years ago, the names would have been obvious — then-Supervisors Don Horsley and Warren Slocum, then-Reps. Jackie Speier and Anna Eshoo, then-Assemblymember Kevin Mullin, then-state Sen. Jerry Hill.

All of them have moved on, in one way or another. And as this old guard is passing, a new generation of leaders has yet to emerge.

There are some whose reputations are growing. There are some who seem well-positioned to emerge, but have yet to do so, and may not.

There are influential people, of course. Power abhors a vacuum. There are some key people who led every list. Interestingly, those at the top of the list are not elected officials.

In the next few columns, I will describe those who were on everyone’s list — a top 10, if you will. And I will talk about who is on the fringes of influence — who might be the next generation of leaders who could be essential to the future of local politics and policy.

But before I get to that (the interesting stuff, you might say), even more fascinating than the names is what it says about where we are and how we got there.

It has a lot to do with the advent of district elections, which have been adopted by most local governments. Focusing on the needs of a district invites parochialism at the expense of broader unanimity. It also has led to greater diversity on our elected bodies, and greater diversity of viewpoints and policy approaches. It also has meant the election of people who may be far more progressive than the county as a whole, but who hold a “safe” seat.

None of which is a basis for building countywide influence.

As one astute observer of our local political scene said:

“All of this has contributed to a less consistent, less centralized power base as San Mateo County’s once orderly system of governance and political ascendancy has been disrupted substantially.

“Local politics now requires a great deal of maneuvering across a spectrum of potential supporters or opponents and to advance politically, it requires a greater level of sophistication than in the past. And what was a political environment defined by the Marquess of Queensberry rules is now more aggressive and confrontational.

“While not a knife fight in a phone booth, the days of San Mateo County being a hotbed of social rest are over.”

What is San Mateo County, then? The answer, it appears, is that we do not know.

As the old curse goes, “May you live in a time of transition.” In the next few weeks, I will try to put some names to this new era, culminating in a top 10 list.