Officiating in my area is based on talent, who you work for, what camps you go to and who likes you.
Four to five years sounds rather typical to move to the varsity level. Some move quicker, some move slower. Some do not move at all.
Politics are always apart of officiating and anything else in life. But I think it is overrated and well overblown. The officials that advance the quickest, are the ones that attend camps, go to associations meetings more than once a year, watch more experienced officials and then are willing to talk to them during the halftime and after the game from time to time. And yes, go to officiating socials and banquets also help. Officiating is a contact business. If you only work at one school and one conference, it is really hard to just move you up when no one realizes you exsist. I am in sales, if I tell no one about my business, I am not going to make that much money. No different in officiating.
Sorry, I am off my soapbox for now.
Peace