Those in the Herkimer County district attorney race are keeping busy campaigning during this final stretch. Incumbent Jeff Carpenter and former District Attorney Mike Daley spent Saturday sharing their message with potential voters. Melissa Krull spoke with them about why they believe they deserve to win.

HERKIMER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Both candidates in the running for Herkimer County district attorney have several years of experience in the position.

"I was a prosecutor for 24, 25 years, and then a supreme court judge for 10 [years]. So this is my comfort zone," said Herkimer County district attorney candidate Mike Daley.

"I've been in the district attorney's office since 2002," said Jeff Carpenter, the current Herkimer County district attorney who is running for re-election. "I was an assistant district attorney. Prior to that, I was in private practice."

Carpenter said he enjoys being district attorney.

"I want to continue serving the people in Herkimer County. I want to continue working with law enforcement. I want to continue to have the crime rate in Herkimer County decrease," Carpenter said.

Daley is running because he has concerns with how the job is being done.

Daley said, "When you plea bargain every single case, what that tells me is that the offers are so low that the defendant has to take them. 'Is it up to the defendant?' Yes it is, but when you're offering such sweetheart deals that the defendants can't turn them down, you end up with no trials."

However, Carpenter said they are avidly prosecuting criminals.

"I have not lost a single felony level trial since I have been in the district attorney's office since 2002," said Carpenter. "I think that message resonates very clearly with defendants. That if you take a case to trial against Jeff Carpenter, the chances of you ending up in state prison are far greater than when Mr. Daley was the district attorney."

Daley said more should be done when it comes to serious cases.

"They're not taking the time, more importantly, the effort and the work involved to try the serious cases. It's not hard to get tougher, but I would be very tough," Daley said.

Daley served as Herkimer County district attorney from 1993 to 2002. He also has experience serving as an assistant district attorney for Oneida County.

Carpenter also served as acting district attorney in 2012, and began serving as the elected district attorney in 2013.