[courtesy of The California Majority Report]

Thank God. Sacramento's uninspiring Democratic Mayor Heather Fargo will have a race for re-election.

Former NBA star Kevin Johnson, an education reform crusader and neighborhood improvement activist, will be facing off against Fargo. Johnson is more than just a big name athlete with a fat checkbook; he's an honest, committed, and smart leader that the city desperately needs. Fargo's ho-hum leadership has made Sacramento "the little city that couldn't" -- a town with much potential but with a mayor that's more comfortable as a city council member than a leader.

Johnson has put together a talented team of Democratic backers. They include consultant David Townsend and much of the city's top tier Democraic leadership. Alex Traverso, communications director for Assemblymember Lloyd Levine, is expected to handle press duties.

Image courtesy Sacramento Bee.