Challenger for Mayor Cabaldon

Copyright News-Ledger 2008

MARK JOHANNESSEN, City Councilman

July 30, 2008

News-Ledger Staff

     It looks like West Sacramento will get a “horse race” this fall in the ballot for the mayor’s job.

  City Councilman Mark Johannessen has “pulled papers” from the city clerk’s office to run for mayor, and has collected at least some of the needed signatures he needs to get his name onto the ballot. Johannessen will have a “safe seat” during the election”: he will be in the middle of his four-year council term, so if he loses the mayor’s race, he can remain on the council.

  If he runs and wins in the mayor’s race, he would have to resign from the council.

  Johannessen declined comment on his candidacy yesterday, saying he hoped to make a formal announcement at a later date.

  He will take on incumbent mayor Christopher Cabaldon in the competition to win a two-year mayor’s term. Cabaldon has announced that he will run again.

  Meanwhile, incumbents Oscar Villegas and Bill Kristoff have both picked up their paperwork to run again for their own seats. Also picking up papers is Salina Valencia, a first-time candidate who currently serves on the city’s Commission on Aging.

  None of the candidates has turned in their final nomination paperwork yet. Papers are due by Friday, August 8.