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 District 6, which includes 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 enter the campaign – 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.

Bagatelos said his family owns a business in the district that employs dozens of workers in the real estate development and glass subcontracting fields.

"I'd like to see how many people Kevin McCarty employs in the district," he said.

Bagatelos lost a run for the 10th Assembly District in 2002, when he was criticized by an opponent for renting a room in the district but not living there full-time.

The city's police union and business interests have recruited Bagatelos to run for the council. In an email sent last week to supporters of Johnson's latest strong-mayor proposal, Stan Van Vleck, vice chair of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce, wrote that Bagatelos "would be a great candidate" and that if he runs, "it is important for our community that we back his effort."

If he runs, Bagatelos would face an incumbent with a sizable campaign war chest who came within a few dozen votes of winning a state Assembly seat in 2010. McCarty raised more than $80,000 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."

McCarty's political consultant, Andrew Acosta, attacked Bagatelos' probable inclusion in the race.

"It's pretty sad that the only candidate that the mayor's high-powered political machine can recruit is his campaign fundraiser who doesn't live in the district," Acosta said.

While stopping short of granting Bagatelos his official endorsement, the mayor told reporters Tuesday that Bagatelos is "someone who understands District 6."

"He's a person I know is a problem-solver and he likes to get things done, so that potentially could be a fun race to watch," the mayor said.

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Call The Bee's Ryan Lillis, (916) 321-1085. Read his City Beat blog at sacbee.com/citybeat.

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