Announcing he'll seek a fourth term as Schenectady mayor, Gary McCarthy said economic development and home ownership opportunities are his key focus.

"I'm proud to take my record to the people and just enjoy the opportunity to keep working for them,” said McCarthy, the Democratic incumbent.

He's touting work done under his leadership to improve housing options and create jobs within the city.

“So it's working together with county government, with the school district, with the business community, with neighborhood associations, with the players here, so that everybody is part of the growth and opportunity that exists within the city,” said McCarthy, who won a close Democratic primary in 2019 by about 100 votes.

Challenging him this year in a June primary is Schenectady City Council President Marion Porterfield, who, if elected, would be the first woman of color to be mayor of the Electric City. McCarthy criticized Porterfield, saying the council has been riddled with inaction and lack of progress under her leadership.

“Mayor sees there is lack of progress, as he is certainly a part of that because he has really not worked with the council in the way that would make everything effective and help us move together and work together,” Porterfield said.

Porterfield said her priority is to put people first and focus on housing, jobs and improving quality of life in the city.

“We are working to increase that, increase the awareness in the importance of this race and the importance of all races, frankly, and to tell people, come out, vote and make your voice heard,” she said.

Schenectady County Republican Committee Chair Matt Nelligan will face the winner of the Democratic primary this fall.

“Crime’s up 28% and murder's up 66%," Nelligan said. "We have some of the highest taxes in the Capital Region.”

He believes both Democratic candidates are out of touch and ignoring a city still struggling with inflation and public safety issues.

"You know, you've got two people that have been in office for an awful long time who have made the mess that we have in the cities connected to, and the people that made the mess can't fix the mess,” Nelligan said.