John DeStefano Jr.

Age: 48

Family: Married with two children

Background: Born in New Haven — Worked as deputy controller and chief administrative officer of the city before being elected to his first term as mayor in 1993 — During his tenure, New Haven has been named an “All-America City” twice, in 1998 and 2003 — Currently serving as president of the National League of Cities, an organization that includes 18,000 cities and towns across the country.

Sherri Killins

Age: 40

Family: Single mother of three

Background: Born in Washington, D.C. — Trained as a nurse before becoming involved in urban development programs in Baltimore, Pittsburgh and New Haven — From 1999 to 2002, served as CEO and president of Empower New Haven, a federally-funded economic development organization — Now working as an adjunct professor at Southern Connecticut State University and the University of New Haven