The Sacramento City Councilman thought to have the easiest path to re-election in June may end up facing a well-heeled opponent.
Developer Jon Bagatelos - who is Mayor Kevin Johnson's chief fundraiser - appears certain to run against Councilman Kevin McCarty in council District 6, representing Elmhurst, Tahoe Park and several other neighborhoods on the southeast side of the city.
"I'm definitely going to run unless someone gives me a reason not to run," Bagatelos said this week.
Before he can run - and he has until March 8 to decide - Bagatelos has one significant barrier to cross: he has to move into the district he seeks to represent. Bagatelos lives in east Sacramento, but owns a home in the Campus Commons neighborhood of District 6 and said he would move his family there if he joins the race.
If he runs, Bagatelos would face an incumbent with a sizable campaign war chest who came within a few dozen votes of winning an Assembly seat in 2010. McCarty raised more than $81,000 for his council campaign in 2011 and is seeking a third term.
"It's an election and with an election comes competition," McCarty said. "I look forward to the campaign. I'm proud of my record fighting for my neighborhoods."
For more on this race, see tomorrow's Bee.
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