Republicans leaders from around New York state are arriving in the city of Binghamton for the Grand Old Party's statewide nominating convention. Republicans officials will vote to endorse one of a handful of candidates looking to unseat three-term Democrat U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

Republicans from around the state will meet in the Doubletree by Hilton hotel in downtown Binghamton on Thursday morning to conduct the official business. There's lots of talking and schmoozing, as hopeful candidates for the U.S. Senate try to get those local officials to back their campaign to run against Gillibrand in November.

This year's convention is hosted by the Broome County Republican Committee. Official party business begins with opening remarks around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, and continues through the afternoon.

Republican county chairs, state committee members, party activists and local supporters will vote for their preferred candidate to challenge Gillibrand in the Nov. 7 general election. Hundreds of Republican leaders will be voting.

Two candidates have been campaigning since the end of last year for the Senate seat – the only statewide office on the ballot Republicans in New York will nominate this year. They say they're running to fix problems at the border with the ongoing influx of migrants to New York, as well as high costs and concerns about public safety.

Former NYPD detective and business owner Mike Sapraicone said the party must be united, and he's a good fit for Senate because he values listening to others to solve problems, something he says the country needs.

"I enjoy meeting with people, you know? I like to talk, but I like to listen," Sapraicone said. "And I think listening is so important to understand what the constituents want and what they need. I don't think we do that enough. We don't listen to people's problems and issues. Everybody has a problem. Everybody has an issue."

Republican businessman Josh Eisen is also looking for the party's nominee for the Senate seat. He is also co-chairman of the George Pataki Foundation, and has received former Gov. Pataki's endorsement for the seat.

Eisen previously ran for a congressional seat in the Hudson Valley in 2020, and here's what he had to say about how this campaign is going so far.

"I think New York should know that I'm a Republican that goes where Republicans often don't go," Eisen said. "They're many more Republicans like me today like the mayor of Troy, Carmella (Mantello), who did go where Republicans don't go."

There's also a third Republican Senate candidate looking to unseat Gillibrand: Cara Castronuova, a Trump supporter and conservative journalist who threw her hat late into the race earlier this month.

Spectrum News 1 contacted her campaign for a response, but have yet to hear back. She could still be on the primary ballot in June if she gets 25% of the support on Thursday.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to remove information that was inadvertently included in the story.