Mayor Kevin Johnson has a lot invested in today's election.
Not only is he seeking another term, but Johnson has campaigned for candidates in south and north Sacramento.
Taking a break from speaking to voters outside the Clunie Community Center in McKinley Park, the mayor said he was "just really excited to be on the ballot and have a chance to serve four more years in Sacramento." Johnson is challenged by municipal finance manager and city parks commissioner Jonathan Rewers, bounty hunter Leonard Padilla and insurance broker Richard Jones.
Much of the mayor's attention has been on the south Sacramento council race, where incumbent Councilwoman Bonnie Pannell is facing former NAACP branch chair Betty Williams. Johnson is supporting Williams and had lunch with her at a Valley Hi diner today.
"Win or lose, the campaign they ran was very effective," the mayor said of the Williams camp. "They deserve to win."
Volunteers for the Pannell campaign were still making phone calls on her behalf late this afternoon.
"Bonnie ran a positive campaign all the way through, focused on the issues and now it's just a matter of getting people out to vote," said Pannell's campaign consultant, Andrew Acosta.
Johnson also spent time today with developer Allen Warren, one of six candidates vying for the north Sacramento council seat being vacated by Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy. The mayor said Warren's "strength is he's from that community (Del Paso Heights)."
Once again, the council races have attracted a record crowd, with 17 candidates running for four seats.
"That says a lot that Sacramento is ready to embrace who we are," the mayor said. "For Sacramento to truly be a capital city, you have to have these spirited races taking place."
Johnson is holding a campaign party tonight at K Bar on K Street. He is expected to address the crowd after 9 p.m.
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