A challenger in the race for Lynbrook mayor says he's getting death threats, but the incumbent think it's just a political ploy.

"A coward has routinely attacked me, my family and friends," says Lynbrook Deputy Mayor Hilary Becker.

Becker says he received a threat on Facebook this week. It was a picture of an unidentified person pointing a gun.

Village police say Becker called them about the picture and that detectives investigated it. But the chief says it wasn't a specific threat and it wasn't at the level of a criminal complaint.

Becker believes he's being threatened because he's challenging incumbent Mayor Alan Beach, who appointed Becker to his current position in 2017. Becker has since distanced himself from Beach and started the "Preserve Lynbrook" party.

Part of the rift between the mayor and deputy mayor began with Becker’s opposition to a possible apartment complex being built in a parking lot near the village's Long Island Rail Road station. But Beach says that plan was unanimously voted down.

Beach believes the Facebook picture is actually from one of Becker's supporters. He says it's nothing more than dirty politics.

Police say they'll continue to monitor the situation and investigate any other complaints.

The mayoral election is set for Tuesday, March 19.