An experienced city official and a newcomer are facing off in the race to be the new mayor of Peekskill.

Democratic candidate Vivian McKenzie has nearly a decade of experience inside Peekskill City Hall.

McKenzie is currently the city’s deputy mayor and a local business owner who won the Democratic nomination over the summer.

If elected, she'd be the first African American woman to run the city.

During her tenure on the City Council, she's focused on job creation, revitalizing the downtown area and adding affordable housing.

"This municipality has stepped up where others haven't,” she says. “Right now, we have 300 projects built, being built or in the process of affordable housing units."

Meanwhile, Emiliano Perez has secured the Conservative and Republican nominations but says he is running with a nonpartisan slate of candidates.

The Guatemalan immigrant went from washing dishes to owning a business in Peekskill.

While Perez has never held office, he says he wants to improve transparency and fiscal responsibility at City Hall and pay attention to essential workers.

"DPW, fire department— they have been working without a contract for years, and I think we need to take care of them like they take care of us,” Perez says.

Both candidates say they believe they are the best choice to lead the city into the future.

Early voting begins this Saturday, and Election Day is Nov. 2.