But creates merely running on something actual issue visibility enough to affect editor behavior/fanlore culture down the line?

Granted, I'm not a member of the OTW, but I do see their blog posts and encounter the occasional discussion relating to it, and I couldn't tell you which issues were relevant in the last board election, except I assume racism, because there were so many complaints that I can't imagine candidates not mentioning it. Though I couldn't tell you whether there were significant differences between candidates either. And I am not sure the fanlore editors are any more engaged with the OTW than I am.