Two members of Utica’s Common Council are facing off for the Democratic line as they both hope to become the city’s next mayor.

Councilor-at-Large Frank DiBrango, a lifelong Utica resident, business owner and former firefighter, says leading the city is something he’s always wanted to do.

“The mayorship being available in Jan. 1 2024, you're going to need someone with experience. And I feel that I had the experience to keep this city moving in the right direction," DiBrango said.

His opponent, 3rd District councilmember, part-time SUNY POLY teacher and arts administrator Celeste Friend, said she’s passionate about Utica.

“I've lived here in Utica for 20 years. I really love Utica. I chose Utica. I bought a house here in 2005. And I've really, it's just the place that I want to dedicate myself to," Friend said.

Both note the financial improvements the city has made and said there are other things that can be focused on moving forward.

Friend said she wants to have big town hall meetings as transparency is a priority for her.

“It really would be easy for the city to communicate better to its own residents about what we're doing, why we're doing it, how we're doing it, how it impacts their lives. So I'm really dedicated and really committed to becoming a much more transparent and better communicative government," Friend said.

DiBrango wants to see a focus on neighborhoods and codes enforcement.

“There is some blight in some of the neighborhoods. You have some absentee landlords that really don't take care of their property. So codes is a big issue with me. So I want to, I want to make sure that we enhance the codes department a little bit. I have some ideas of doing that," DiBrango said.

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Each candidate has a message for voters.

“I'm very honored to be endorsed by the party. So I just want to let the people know that I will be there for them. With my work experience over the past 36 years in management, employing people, managing people, I think the transition to move to the mayorship would be a very easy transition," said DiBrango.

“’Utica For All of Us’, which is our campaign slogan, to me, what that means is that everybody gets to come to the table and that's hard work. But it's worth it in the end because together all the people of Utica can, I believe, really build a bright future. But it it's going to take all of us," said Friend.

Primary election day is June 27 and early voting is already underway.