The race to replace former Scranton Mayor Bill Courtright is on. 

The Democratic and Republican Party in Scranton both convened this week to select their candidates, while a number of individuals are mulling third party runs for Mayor. 

On Monday evening, the Scranton Democratic Party executive committee selected Christopher Cullen, lawyer and political analyst, as their nominee on the first ballot for the special election over seven other candidates, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. The Lackawanna County Democratic Party executive committee is set to gather tonight to give the final nod and hold an “affirmation vote” for Cullen Wednesday evening. 

On Tuesday, the Lackawanna County Republican Party tapped Charlie Spano, a retired elementary school teacher, to be their nominee over eight other candidates for Mayor in November, the Scranton Times-Tribune reports. 

Cullen is centering his campaign around unifying the party and moving it in a new direction in the aftermath of the resignation of the former Democratic Mayor, who resigned in early July after pleading guilty to federal charges that included bribery, conspiracy, and an “attempt to obstruct commerce by extortion, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. He’s also called on the county committee to do fundraising, which he believes will combat “pay-to-play” scandals, and focusing on trash-fee delinquencies, investing in neighborhoods and more. 

Spano called on wiping out the corruption of city government under the previous administration as his top priority, the Scranton Times-Tribune reports. 

While both Cullen and Spano begin their campaigns, several individuals have publicly acknowledged interest in launching third party bids for the special election. Paige Cognetti, former Scranton School Director, said she is launching an independent campaign for the office, citing the need to fight corruption in local government, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. 

Kyle Donahue, a Democratic City Councilman, is considering an independent bid for the office, while Giovannii Piccolino, a pizza shop owner, and Gary St. Fluer, a writer, are pursuing signatures to run as third party candidates as well, according to the Scranton Times-Tribune. 

Wayne Evans, previously a Republican Scranton City Council member, has been the acting Mayor of the city since late July. Evans pledged to not seek the office of Mayor beyond his interim appointment. 

The winner of the special election on Nov. 5 will complete Courtright’s second term, starting Jan. 6 through 2021.