Kevin Johnson for Mayor

Sleepy Sacramento has seen one of the toughest Mayoral races inyears, as two-term incumbent Mayor Heather Fargo is struggling to fightoff a challenge from former NBA star Kevin Johnson and a less knownfield of other candidates.

 

This one has been ugly, with Fargo benefiting from a $100,000independent expenditure from the plumbers union attacking Johnson'scharacter. Fargo has refused to condemn the attacks. Meanwhile, Johnsonhas been criticized for not appearing at citizens forums and havingmedia access tightly controlled. The Sacramento Bee has been under firefor biased reporting, and its editorial board strangely urged voters tocast their ballots for a convicted felon or a no-name candidate to tryto force a run-off in November (yes, the same editorial board thatscolds politicians for not making tough decisions).

 

The Sacramento mayor's job is essentially a cheerleader for thecity, given its limited governance responsibilities. Mayor HeatherFargo, who I twice supported, has been ineffective and offeredlackluster leadership for a city with so much potential. Kevin Johnsonoffers hope and change (does that sound familiar?), and the Sacramentonative is bursting with pride for his hometown that will no doubtresult in helping put Sacramento on the map.