EVANS CITY — In the race for mayor of Evans City, incumbent Mayor Dean Zinkhann is running against challenger and Councilman Karl Kennedy for the office’s four-year term.

Both Zinkhann, a Democrat, and Kennedy, a Republican, are lifelong residents of Evans City with long histories of public service.

Kennedy has served on borough council for more than 10 years and Zinkhann has served as mayor for the last four years and also served on council for a time in the 1970s.

“Why am I running for mayor? To help the community the best I can,” Zinkhann said.

He said he plans to promote programs and work to supply the town with grant money to revitalize Main Street and other projects.

Zinkhann first became mayor in 2013 when the previous mayor, Gary Foster, retired for health reasons. Zinkhann then ran for re-election later that year and won.

Kennedy plans to focus on spending and collaborating with council, he said, to address concerns across the borough.

“I’ll work with council to keep costs down,” Kennedy said. “I’m against raising taxes unless absolutely necessary.”

Kennedy also plans to pursue grant funding for projects around the borough, citing previous experience while on council

He is also running for Evans City Council.