Republican Carmella Mantello officially announces her bid to become the next mayor of Troy. YNN's Erin Connolly has more on the challenges she hopes to tackle and who her challenger may be.

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TROY, N.Y. -- It's finally official as Carmella Mantello kicked off her campaign for Troy mayor with a press conference at the Riverfront Park on Monday.

The Republican candidate said, ''I've seen what works and what doesn't work, how commitment, passion, vision, and old fashioned hard work can transform villages, towns and cities, just like ours.''

And the Troy native certainly has a lot of experience to back up her words. She served on the City Council and for the last six years has been the head of the state's Canal Corporation. Mantello said if elected she'd like to focus on developing the waterfront, lowering taxes, creating safer streets and, of course, jobs.

State Senator Roy McDonald said, ''She's got love and affection for this city and the people who make it up. That's the most important item that we need.''

Mantello is looking to follow in the footsteps of current Republican Mayor Harry Tutunjian. He can't run again because Troy has a two-term limit.

Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian said, ''It's bittersweet, but I'll feel better if I leave it someone who can continue it on and I think Carmella will be able to do that.''

Troy Democrats have yet to endorse a candidate, although five potentials have been interviewed. Applications are being accepted until Friday.

Troy Democratic Chairman Jack McCann said, ''My feelings are we need a Democrat because if you look at just the budget and property taxes alone it was the Democratic Council that got the property taxes knocked down from current mayor's five and change to one and change.

But Mantello believes she's the right person for the job. The Republican is no stranger to the Troy mayoral race. She ran and lost in 1999, but is hoping the second time's a charm.

Mantello said, "With your help, we will win in November and we will build a better Troy for all of us.''

As mentioned, five Democrats have show interest for the Troy mayor's position. They are Lynn Kopka, the President of the Washington Park Association, City Council President Clem Campana, Rensselaer County Legislators Ed Manny and Kathleen Ryan-Cassidy, and Reverend Nina Nichols of Christ Church United Methodist.