Mayoral races in cities the size of Sacramento don't typically receive national attention by way of mass duplicated AP reports in newspapers across the country.  The city isn't as big or relevant as a Los Angeles or San Francisco, and city politics are routinely overshadowed by state politics as it is California's capitol.  But when Kevin Johnson, a three-time NBA All-Star, announced that he would be running for mayor of his hometown, a spotlight of intrigue turned to the race.

He is running against incumbent Heather Fargo, who has been mayor of Sacramento since 2001.  He already has received the backing of former mayor Jimmie Yee, the Sacramento police, a strong labor union, and also very famous non-Sacramento residents like Charles Barkley and Magic Johnson, who will be among a large basketball contingency attending an upcoming Johnson fundraiser in Phoenix.

Upon retirement, Johnson initially looked destined for a career in broadcasting when he became a studio analyst for NBC's coverage of the NBA, but he lasted just one season and dedicated his time and attention towards his St. HOPE foundation.  He started St. HOPE in 1989 to "revitalize inner-city communities."  With a genuine passion for helping people, Johnson started making a difference in the lives of people in his community before it became a vogue (practically mandated) element of professional athletic careers.

I recently interviewed Johnson to discuss his political aspirations, how he plans to help improve Sacramento, which GM would make the most successful politician, and even what he thought of the Shaq trade.

Johnson, who has never held an elected office (but posterized Hakeem like nobody else), is attempting to follow the career paths of Bill Bradley, Steve Largent and Jack Kemp, successful athletes who have seamlessly transitioned into politics.

"I have followed those folks from afar," said Johnson and also added that he has sat down with Bradley and Kemp in the past, but these athlete-politicians serve him as more of a reminder that the transition is possible than as a model.

"The person I throw out is Dr. Martin Luther King and everything he has stood for," said Johnson when I asked him who he holds as his political role model.

Johnson speaks with great eloquence and passion- a natural leader, he seems very comfortable in the campaigner role and more importantly, he genuinely seems to be enjoying it.  He has a sunny everyman kind of demeanor, yet is certainly corporately polished and also holds a political science degree from Berkeley.

"One thing I didn't anticipate is how much I enjoyed meeting the constituents."

Sacramento is a fast-growing city with a diverse population and, like much of the country, is in the middle of an intense mortgage crisis, an issue Johnson broached several times during our interview.  

"Sacramento needs a different kind of leader," Johnson said as if it's his campaign's theme, when I asked him how he would improve the city.  "Unfortunately it's defined by being two hours from Lake Tahoe or San Francisco," citing this perception problem as something he can help alter.

I asked him where he believes he will be politically in ten years and he said there are "no term limits in Sacramento" but I received the impression that he has political aspirations lurking within him that reach beyond being mayor of California's capitol.  But his heart is unquestionably fully in this race and in helping Sacramento.  Johnson is keen enough to realize the height of this stepping stone (if it is one) is dependent on how successful he is as mayor.

While undoubtedly not as vital of an issue as crime, housing and education, Johnson is eager to help the Kings' arena situation.

"I would love to get involved in that," Johnson enthusiastically said when I broached the arena issue.  "We have to keep the Kings in Sacramento," emphasizing how important sports can be for the economy, morale and overall perception of a community.

The NBA isn't topic number one on his brain these days, but I got the sense that he still follows it at least somewhat closely with a genuine interest.  He endorsed the Shaq trade, saying, "Phoneix needed more of a presence defensively in the middle" and also has been impressed with Bryan Colangelo's work with Toronto.

But the current GM Johnson feels would make the best politician isn't Colangelo, but it is an equally familiar face.

"Danny Ainge would probably be the best politician," said Johnson with a little laugh.

Since the Celtics have been so successful this season, I'm sure Ainge wouldn't want to trade places with Johnson, but #7's focus wouldn't allow his former coach, teammate and competitor to derail his mayoral ambitions.

Ultimately, there are two integral questions should Johnson be elected on June 3rd:

1. Will Mayor Johnson improve Sacramento?

2. Will Johnson's win induce former teammate Charles Barkley to finally begin his long-anticipated run for governor of Alabama?

- Christopher Reina is the executive editor of RealGM and the creator of The Reina Value.