Arnold Schwarzenegger is already the Governor of California. Surely there’s room in the state’s capital for one of our favorite past NBA stars.

Former Phoenix Suns point guard Kevin Johnson announced that he will challenge incumbent Heather Fargo, according to the Sacramento Bee.

“It will end up being a knock-down, drag-out fight that will focus on the negatives of both candidates,” said local political consultant Doug Elmets. “Both campaigns’ teams are well known for focusing on the dark side.”

Former floor general Kevin Johnson wants to run the city of Sacramento.

With the California city in the midst of a financial crisis, problems with high-profile development projects, and with criticism of her frequent travels and perceived lack of leadership, Fargo is vulnerable, some experts believe.

A Sacramento State survey found Fargo with a George W. Bush-like approval rating of 36 percent - 28 percent said they would vote to re-elect Fargo, while 29 percent would choose Johnson and 41 percent are undecided.

An active local philanthropist and businessman born and raised in the city’s Oak Park area, KJ says his organizations have cleaned up areas of his hometown and started or planned to bring 20 businesses and 300 jobs to the area.

His announcement rally was slickly produced, with signs, T-shirts, a Web site and a Kevin Johnson for Mayor baseball card that includes a bio. Johnson’s vision, the card states, is “A city that works for everyone.”

As his platform, Kevin Johnson says that he will push for good schools, a climate that attracts business and jobs, and a transparent, accountable government. He would commit, he says, to decreasing crime in the rapidly-growing city.

No word on whether the Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett, a.k.a. the Big Ticket, would run as his Deputy Mayor. KJ and KG? Think about it! That, or he should form an all Phoenix Suns 1993 NBA Finals ticket with Charles Barkley.

Continue reading about KJ in the Sacramento Bee …