Lifelong resident and Common Council Minority Leader Sebastian N. Giuliano, a Republican, said his extensive experience leading the city from 2005-11 makes him a natural to slide into the city’s top job if elected in November. The former three-term mayor, 67, announced his candidacy in mid-May.

“I know the job, the learning curve is nonexistent and I’ll hit the ground running,” he said. “This was the year. And now with six years on the council under my belt, I think I’m even better prepared than I ever was.” In 2011, he lost to Democratic Mayor Dan Drew, who is not seeking reelection.