Crime, homelessness and equality. They're issues that impact all of us.
With less than a week from the primary election, the candidates for mayor are hanging their hats on different issues.
Other WRAL Top Stories
There are four candidates who say they can do the job. The list is incumbent Mayor Mitch Colvin and challengers Freddie de la Cruz, Charles Evans and QuancidineHinson-Gribble.
Colvin is seeking his fourth term as the city's top political leader. He says his experience sets him apart from the other candidates.
"Just continuing the mission," Colvin said. "We've had very good success in creating jobs, continuing to rebrand and attract people into our community. I think that I'm the most qualified that's in the race right now with the provide results to go with it."
This will be Freddie de la Cruz's second run for Fayetteville Mayor. He's a self-proclaimed military brat who sees fighting crime in the city a top priority.
"Our crime is high," said de la Cruz. "With my experience in the military as a military police officer, I can help the chief of police with the crime problem that we have in Fayetteville and also with our youth gun violence."
Charles Evans is no stranger to politics. He's served as a Fayetteville City Councilman and a Cumberland County Commissioner. Last year, he lost his bid to become the Democratic nominee for the 7th House seat in the US House of Representatives. He said politics is about serving the people.
"That's what's propelling me to run," Evans said. "Because there are certain instances in our city where certain individuals are not receiving fair treatment. It should be fair across the board. So I would work to make that better."
This will be QuancidineHinson-Gribble's second run for office. She admits she may be the least known of the candidates, but for years she has been working behind the scenes to help resolve issues for citizens.
One of her main focuses is the city's homeless and less fortunate population.
"I'm working on the farmer's market on the murk," Hinson-Gribble said. "That's going to be opening up on the second Saturday in October. That's going to take care of our food desert here in Fayetteville."
The two top vote getters in the primary on Oct. 10 will move on to the general election and run for mayor on Nov. 7.