MILWAUKEE— What started with seven candidates seeking to replace longtime Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will be narrowed down to two next week following Tuesday's special mayoral primary in the City of Milwaukee.

Set up in the wake of Barrett's resignation to become Ambassador to Luxembourg, the city set the mayoral primary to coincide with Wisconsin's Spring Primary on February 15th and the final mayoral election will coincide with the state's Spring Election on April 5th.

Following Barrett's resignation on December 23rd, then-Common Council President Cavalier Johnson was sworn in as acting mayor in accordance with city statue. Johnson is one of the seven candidates seeking the position long-term, along with current Milwaukee Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, former Milwaukee Alderman Bob Donovan, longtime Milwaukee activist and paralegal Ieshuh Griffin, Milwaukee County Sheriff Earnell Lucas, Milwaukee businessman Michael Sampson and State Senator Lena Taylor.

Spectrum News 1 recently had the opportunity to interview six of the seven candidates. According to a spokesperson for Sheriff Lucas, his schedule never allowed for an interview over the past several weeks.

"I've looked at Milwaukee not having the leadership that it's needed for so long, not having the vision to move us forward," mayoral candidate Lena Taylor told Spectrum News 1. "I wanted to be able to take my skills and talents to the table. I want to be able to move us to a Milwaukee that is a Milwaukee for all, one Milwaukee that allows all people to be able to have access to opportunity."