Yesterday, Muriel Strand, an activist, mechanical engineer, massage therapist, and Pagan, filed the necessary paperwork in order to run for the mayor’s office of Sacramento, California. Strand joins four other registered candidates running against incumbent mayor Heather Fargo, who has served in the office since 2001.

Muriel Strand

Though an incumbent, Fargo’s approval rates have sunk to 36% as the city faces a host of fiscal and development-related issues. Her most visible and well-organized competitor in the June 3rd primary is former NBA star Kevin Johnson, but Johnson isn’t electrifying potential voters any more than Fargo, and there is an astounding 41% “undecided” in the polls. This leaves the field wide-open for a dark horse candidate like Strand to grab the nomination, especially if Johnson and Fargo spend their time and money smearing one another.

So who is Muriel Strand? What I could piece together is that she is a retired mechanical engineer, who worked on air quality issues in California. Strand is an ardent environmentalist who is in favor of sustainable gardening, she is also in favor of legalizing gambling and against the “war on drugs”. Her libertarian streak involving gambling and drugs ends with guns, of which she is in favor of stricter controls.

Spiritually speaking, Strand considers herself a Pagan and a Quaker, and she is a member of the Sacramento Friends Meeting. Strand is also involved in spiritual massage techniques, and claims involvement in Reiki, Ayurvedic Massage, and Shiatsu.

What are Strand’s chances? That is anyone’s guess. She certainly isn’t as well-funded as an incumbent mayor or a former NBA superstar, but a race this volatile involving an electorate this unhappy, could produce any result. Including a serious mayoral contender who happens to be a Pagan (and a Quaker).