CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. — A familiar face has thrown his name into the hat for Chemung County executive.

Republican Mike Krusen, current deputy county executive, announced Tuesday night he'll be running. 

No stranger to the job, Krusen has been working by incumbent Tom Santulli's side for nearly two decades.

The news comes after Santulli shared he'll be retiring at the end of his term in December of 2018.  

Krusen currently serves as deputy part-time after he was appointed president of Southern Tier Economic Growth in 2015. He says the wealth of experience makes him a great fit. 

"There really is nobody that knows the issues better than I do, that knows this community, from the standpoint of county government better than I do," said Krusen. “Whether it's the business community or the residents. I've been working hand in hand trying to move this community forward every day." 

He says it's that commitment to the community that sets him apart from any other potential candidate and he hopes voters agree with his vision next year.