Scott LeBar

In his two month run for the Sacramento mayor’s seat, Kevin Johnson has faced a barrage of questions about his personal conduct. Through it all, Johnson’s campaign has attempted to deflect the charges by presenting its vision for the city if Johnson unseats incumbent Heather Fargo.

"Ultimately, this is a contest between Mayor Fargo's status quo message versus Kevin's forward-looking message of leadership," said Christy Setzer, a spokeswoman for Johnson.

But with the June 3 primary approaching, one of the major questions facing the campaign is how effectively it prevented the litany of negative stories – ranging from allegations that Johnson engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with a minor at a nonprofit where he once worked to accusations that he let residential properties he managed deteriorate – from damaging Johnson’s public image as a fresh-faced political newcomer who has said he could inject a troubled city with a new sense of leadership.