Election Day is right around the corner, and Spectrum News 1 wants to make sure you know the candidates before you cast your vote.

NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. — It’ll be a new face leading North Tonawanda after this election.

In this year’s mayoral race, it’s Alderman At-Large Austin Tylec on the Democratic ticket.

“I wanted to make even more of a difference,” said Tylec. “I really care about our community. I want to see it thrive.”

Common Council President Robert Pecoraro is on the Republican side.

“I have a deep commitment to serve," he said. "Overall, I really am working hard to improve the residents’ quality of life.”

City finances are a big priority for both candidates.

“I believe that in my leadership, we're going to be able to keep on task with our budgets, to have them structurally balanced and below the tax cap that New York State's imposed on us,” said Pecoraro

“We recently had an audit from the New York state comptroller that address some of the concerns that we have with our budgets, and what does that mean for our future,” said Tylec. “There were a lot of pieces to it that we can really work with.”

Also on Tyler’s agenda: increasing accessibility, whether through social media, texts or calls, and supporting development in North Tonawanda.

He says his experience in architecture will help him succeed as mayor.

“I understand the construction process efficiencies," he said. "We can make our developments happen a little bit quicker, a little bit cheaper too, and make sure the right for our community.”

Pecoraro’s main focuses are continuing quality services in the area, from parks to emergency services.

Economic development is vital to him as well.

He’s drawing on 30 years in the Air Force to help him lead the city.

“I commanded 1,200 people; had a $50 million budget," Pecoraro said. "The bottom line is I have the experience and willingness to move forward and move North Tonawanda forward in that capacity.”

It’s that dealing with big budgets and lots of people that he says make him the best candidate, with proof to back it up.

“When I first served on the common council, there were over 12,000 people that are living at or below the poverty level in the Tonawanda," recalled Pecoraro. "I brought a hub for services to improve their quality of life and to not leave anyone behind.”

Tylec is proud of his own accomplishments, including creating a climate smart task force.

“There's a lot of money out there in the state, the federal level that we can really utilize to improve our city on different levels, so I spearheaded things like Open Pace. It was a way for developers to get zero interest financing on clean energy developments,” he said.

Both candidates think they’re best for the job. Only one will emerge victorious.

“I'm going to do the best I can for our community because I'm a fourth generation here, and I'm proud of our city,” said Tylec. “I want it to grow. I want it to thrive and see it move forward.”

“This city has the best quality of life of the other 13 locations that I lived in [during the military], and I want them to remember that I chose them, and now I'm asking them to choose me on the 2nd of November,” said Pecoraro.

Spectrum News 1 will have full coverage of the races that are important to you on Election Day.