There are those who say Heather Fargo and Kevin Johnson couldn't be more different as people and politicians.
Yes and no.
Fargo views life as a policy wonk, has vast knowledge of city affairs, is about community meetings, is passive-aggressive to the extreme, and does not do well in venues where she has to perform. Johnson views life as an entrepreneur, has a knowledge of city affairs that is wide but not deep, likes back-room meetings, is aggressive-aggressive to the extreme, and comes across very well in public.
Both don't forget slights and they're now in full attack mode – on everything.
Their race has debilitated the Sacramento City Council, making the deficit-induced process of cutting police and other services even worse for city staffers caught between the political combatants.
For these two people there is no separation between work and lifestyle. Their political aspirations are their lives.
Johnson champions the schools run by St. HOPE Academy, his educational nonprofit. Fargo is committed to the environment. But it's impossible to separate these pursuits from their mayoral campaigns. Both travel extensively to support their pet agendas.
While some politicians put their families out front in their campaigns, neither of Sacramento's mayoral candidates has kids. The husband of the 55-year-old Fargo is very much in the background. Johnson is 42 and unmarried. If the former NBA star has a serious – or casual – love interest it couldn't be more private.
There is a cult of personality around both candidates.
They are surrounded by worshipful aides. In Fargo's case the aides have been known to eat off the mayor's plate at restaurants and finish her sentences. Johnson's people work night and day as he does. Their lives are wrapped up in his.
If we extend these all-consuming orbits further – if we examine the trails of both through Sacramento – we'll see there's roadkill along the way.
Both are strongly disliked by some who have long known and worked with them. Fargo started her career as a community organizer in Natomas, where she is now largely out of favor. There is widespread anger that Natomas got hosed when its housing growth pumped badly needed tax revenue into the city without it bouncing back in the form of fire stations and other services. For many, Fargo is most to blame for this.
Johnson has a base of enemies who loathe him for closing Sacramento High School and reopening it as a charter school. These include educators who worked for him but quit, claiming he was a micromanager.
Often, after some of their old relationships tanked, both were described as sullen, petty, vindictive.
Outwardly amiable, inwardly tight, Heather Fargo and Kevin Johnson have ways of making you feel uneasy.
Call The Bee's Marcos Bretón, (916) 321-1096.
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