Tuesday was a historic election for the race of Bakersfield mayor.
A total of 25 candidates, the most to run for the position in more than 100 years.
Two candidates immediately emerged ahead of the pack - Karen Goh and Kyle Carter - each winning over 33% of votes.
Now, the remaining two candidates have to crank up their campaign efforts to get a majority of the votes come the general election in November.
23ABC asked Goh and Carter what makes them qualified to take on Bakersfield's top dog position.
"Business development experience in a fortune 500 company, making very high level decisions then government services, being responsible to the tax payers for a 2 billion dollar budget and serving on numerous public commissions," said Goh.
"I've done a lot of different projects that were very difficult, very demanding and complicated and that's what we need. Someone who can get in there and figure out how to do these different things," said Carter.
When it comes to the oil industry and jobs...
"Oil and ag will always be staples in our community. They are the foundation in our community. However, we do need to diversify, we need other renewable energies, technology that we can bring in," said Goh.
Carter replied, "if something is brought to me and it seems feasible, and I can be a representative or use some influence that I may have, I'm all over it."
And when asked was sets them apart from each other...
"I've been involved for years and years in our community, going to a broad spectrum of events, engaged in the poorest areas of our community and also those who aren't more economically stable," said Goh, "so that broad range enables me to reach a lot of different people."
"I'm a doer. I got out and I get things done. I've been a builder my entire life. at the end of the day, there has to be something tangible done. You have to be able to see what you did," said Carter.
The candidates will face off once again on November 8th for the general election.
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