NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — For the first time in 15 years, voters in New Britain will be electing a mayor whose name has not appeared on their ballot before.

Mayor Erin Stewart announced in January that she will "explore" a run for governor , leaving the city’s top seat wide open from an incumbent for the first time in more than a decade.

State Rep. Bobby Sanchez is running on the Democratic ticket while Sharon Beloin-Saavedra, who was endorsed by Stewart, is running on the Republican ticket.

Both candidates were born and raised in New Britain. They said their love for the city runs deep.

“New Britain means a lot to me," Beloin-Saveedra said. "I'm third generation, and then I got married here, and had my family here. We're all New Britain high graduates. I feel a great sense of pride."

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