When a lady spills her coffee and blames McDonald's we tell her to take responsibility for her own actions. Likewise, when a politician fails, he should blame himself. It is not everybody else's fault that he is losing.
Jim Ryan has received both good and bad advice. He has taken the bad advice...namely to hide.
Why Durkin is hiding is a mystery.
In contrast, Judy Barr-Topinka is working hard for re-election as treasurer. She and her campaign workers are highly visible at events large and small. When she wins it is not because she is more moderate, or a woman, etc. It is because she earned it through hard work.
Jim Ryan got nominated because it was "his turn". He accepted the nomination because he thought it was his duty to take his turn. That is not a winning strategy.
Of course, the big problem is the Republican primary voters who nominate candidates based on whose turn it is.