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Former NBA star set to become mayor in Sacramento

by Dave Keating | June 4, 2008 at 03:49 am

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The Sacramento mayoral election looks headed to a runoff which former NBA star and Democratic candidate Kevin Johnson is likely to win.

In his first-ever drive for elected office, former NBA star Kevin Johnson appeared headed to victory Tuesday in the heated race to become mayor of California's capital city, but was falling short of the threshold needed to avoid a November runoff.

Sacramento's mayoral race was the most bitter in decades, pitting two-term incumbent Heather Fargo against the former Phoenix Suns star. One of the Democrats had to capture more than 50% of the votes to win the seat outright.

The election debate revolved around Johnson's character and qualifications.

Johnson had earned a golden reputation by helping revitalize his old Oak Park neighborhood over the last decade, but his standing plummeted in recent weeks amid allegations that he molested a teenage girl in Phoenix 13 years ago and another last year in Sacramento. No charges were brought in either case.

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macinmarti23

at 15:09 on June 4th, 2008

macinmarti23 has contributed a photo to this story.

Felton Barch

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 18:02 on June 21st, 2008

Dave Keating, nicely done.

I was here in Arizona when he played basketball for the Phoenix Suns. He said a few things that could give one the impression that he's just a bit "full of himself". But so are most who become politicians.

Good to see that KJ has focused positive energy and his positive capabilities into the Sacramento community.

Comparing KJ to the person that he's running against, and her track record, I'd vote for him.