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 love the city— we are a city of champions, and like I said, I've had the honor to serve the city at the local level for many years," mayoral candidate Marina Dimitjevic told Spectrum News 1. "We're at a crossroads— we need bold ideas and innovation— it's an open seat and Milwaukeeans are ready for change."

Polls open in Milwaukee on Tuesday at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.

Spectrum News 1 will air results live as we receive them Tuesday.