Skip to content
Help support CapRadio’s local public service mission 
and enrich the lives in your community.
Support local nonprofit public media.
Donate Now

View thank you gift options

CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Mayor Johnson Won't Seek Re-Election

  •  Ben Adler 
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Rich Pedroncelli / AP

FILE - Mayor Kevin Johnson speaks during a news conference in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, April 27, 2012.

Rich Pedroncelli / AP

Update at 9:50 a.m.: Former California Senate leader Darrell Steinberg, who served on the city council before winning election to the state Legislature, says he will decide whether to run for mayor "over the next couple of days." 

Steinberg says he went to sleep Tuesday night before the mayor made his announcement, and he woke up Wednesday morning to his phone "beeping off the hook," adding that he's received lots of interest.

"I’ve enjoyed the sabbatical and I know that there is life other than public service, but it is in my blood" Steinberg told Capital Public Radio in a phone interview Wednesday morning. "There’s no greater privilege than to serve. So I want to do this in the right way and talk to my family and the community. And I will make an announcement at the right time – not too far off, but I want to do this in the right way."

Sacramento City Councilwoman Angelique Ashby will announce her candidacy for mayor at 11 a.m. in East Sacramento, where she'll be joined by the local fire fighters union.

Johnson is expected to meet with reporters at 10:15 a.m. in Oak Park.

Capital Public Radio will continue to follow this story throughout the day.

Original story: Kevin Johnson, the Sacramento native and NBA star who returned to his hometown to become its first African-American mayor, says he will not seek a third term in next year's election.

"After much thought and soul-searching I have decided not to run for a third term as mayor," Johnson wrote in a statement released on Twitter late Tuesday night. "It was an incredibly difficult choice, but one I feel confident about."

The mayor went on to write that he is not leaving for another job: "While there are many intriguing opportunities out there (and I'm excited to explore them) I honestly don't know what's next for me."

Johnson defeated two-term incumbent Mayor Heather Fargo in a bitter 2008 campaign. His legacy will include saving Sacramento's lone major professional sports franchise, the NBA's Kings, from leaving town and building a new downtown sports arena. He has also been shadowed by allegations of sexual misconduct which have re-emerged in recent weeks - although the allegations are not new and were known to voters during the 2008 campaign.

City Councilmember Angelique Ashby, who represents much of Natomas, confirmed to Capital Public Radio late Tuesday that she will run to replace Johnson. Ashby says she'll announce her candidacy Wednesday morning.

Former California Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, who served on the city council before entering the state Legislature, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate.

Kevin Johnson's statement:

kevin johnson statement 102015 ff


Timeline:


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Election 2016

  • 2016 Election Coverage: Nov. 8 General Election

    CapRadio's coverage of the 2016 elections.

    Related Stories

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    News Network: Johnson's Decision To Step Aside

    Tuesday, October 27, 2015
    Mayor Kevin Johnson says his decision not to seek a third isn’t related to allegations of sexual misconduct or a legal battle over his use of private emails. Sacramento News & Review Co-Editor Nick Miller has his own thoughts on the mayor’s decision.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Recap: Mayor's Decision To Not Seek Re-Election

    Wednesday, October 21, 2015
    Capital Public Radio's Ben Adler joins us with an update on the mayor's decision to not run for a third term, including what it means for his legacy.
  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    One More Expected To Join Race To Be Sacramento's Next Mayor

    Another candidate is jumping into the race for Mayor of Sacramento. Darrell Steinberg's former chief of staff said in an e-mail to supporters that he will announce his candidacy Wednesday. Meanwhile, former Asm. Roger Dickinson says he won't run.

 kevin johnsonElection 2016

Ben Adler

Director of Programming and Audience Development

Director of Programming and Audience Development Ben Adler first became a public radio listener in the car on his way to preschool — though not necessarily by choice.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Rahul Lal / CalMatters

California colleges rush to get more students on food assistance before pandemic rule ends

March 18, 2023

AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File

California’s Covid misinformation law is entangled in lawsuits, conflicting rulings

March 19, 2023

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli

Newsom administration to provide 1,200 tiny homes statewide, including 350 for the Sacramento region

March 16, 2023

Most Viewed

Sacramento guaranteed income program opens applications for second round of participants

California could be the first state in the country to ban some much debated food additives

Wildfire victims left ‘in the dark’ after U.S. Forest Service briefs Congress about the Caldor Fire

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Rain, snow and wind are returning to Northern California. In Sacramento, impacts expected to be milder than recent storms

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

Sacramento guaranteed income program opens applications for second round of participants

California could be the first state in the country to ban some much debated food additives

Wildfire victims left ‘in the dark’ after U.S. Forest Service briefs Congress about the Caldor Fire

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Rain, snow and wind are returning to Northern California. In Sacramento, impacts expected to be milder than recent storms

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a Tip / Story Idea
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.