Kevin Johnson preparing for his first political debate

Kevin Johnson at his induction into the Phoenix Suns' Ring of Honor: Getty ImagesKevin Johnson is no stranger to the bright lights and big plays of the NBA, but how will he fare in the political spotlight?

Johnson, a Sacramento native who is running for mayor, will take on the Democratic incumbent, Heather Fargo and five others, in his first debate on Wednesday.

"Our overriding concern is that Sacramento needs good leadership," said Johnson spokeswoman Christy Setzer, adding that Johnson plans to hammer on the theme at Wednesday evening's showdown at The California Museum.

Johnson, a three-time All-Star with the Phoenix Suns, is spending part of Tuesday preparing for the debate in which he is expected to continue his offensive against Fargo, for her record on education, the city's $10 billion budget deficit and K Street development.

The personal issues that have dominated the race so far are also expected to come up in the debate. Since entering the race two months ago Johnson's campaign has faced a barrage of media stories detailing allegations that Johnson touched a 17-year-old girl inappropriately last year while serving as head of the nonprofit St. Hope and that his attorneys hid the investigation from local authorities.

Dale Howard, Fargo's campaign manager, did not specify how Fargo would respond to Johnson's barbs, but indicated Fargo would take a high-road approach the matchup.

"I don't know that we expect to challenge Johnson. We expect Mayor Fargo to stand on her record," he said.

That would fit in with the Fargo's campaign's approach, which has been to place the problems facing the city, including the budget shortfall, into a broader context, saying that the election is taking place at a time when the state is facing severe economic woes.

Howard, meanwhile, was quick to point out that Fargo, who has served two terms as mayor, had already participated in each of the previous seven mayoral debates.

"We're very curious to see what the dynamic will be because we haven't heard from Johnson before," said Howard.

Joining Johnson and Fargo in the debate will be fellow mayoral candidates Adam Daniel, Shawn Eldredge, Richard Jones, Leonard Padilla and Muriel Stran.

Sacramento voters head to the polls on June 3.