(WSBT) It's shaping up to be one of the most heated races in recent memory. Republican Juan Manigault and incumbent Mayor Steve Luecke are battling it out to see who will run the city of South Bend for the next four years.

Every Thursday from now until the election, WSBT News will be looking at issues facing the city. The first story deals with the candidates, their backgrounds and how they got into Campaign 2007.

Both Steve Luecke and Juan Manigault have been spending their time knocking on doors. They're trying to get a pulse for the big issues concerning people in South Bend. Both say they're the one to take the city into the future. But it's their past that developed their desire to serve.

Luecke grew up in Illinois, was involved in sports and student government and says his parents encouraged him to be involved.

"My parents always encouraged us to be involved in community. They said we have a responsibility to make our community a better place," he said.

Manigault grew up in South Carolina. He also was involved with sports, in fact, he spent part of his professional career as a tennis pro. He says he was inspired to enter politics by John F. Kennedy.

"The torch was passing from the prior generation to our generation, the Baby Boomer generation. And that stuck with me ever since," he said.

Both earned college degrees in the 1970s — Manigault in English and business administration, Luecke in philosophy. Manigault came to South Bend to attend Notre Dame; Luecke for a construction apprenticeship. Manigault spent most of the past two decades working for Workforce Development.

Luecke started a construction company, worked for the South Bend Heritage Foundation and served nine years on the Common Council before becoming mayor.

IUSB political scientist David Parker says both men come across well in public. But he expects the race to start focusing on three issues: economic development, management of city services and financial management.

"Other than that, the voters will tend to tune out, but if there's a question about any of that, it gives the grounds for a challenger to come in and make a tight race or possibly win," Parker said.

And because campaigns can become personal at times, both men admit it can be hard on their families. Luecke and his wife Peggy have four grown children. Manigault and his wife Kimberly have two kids in college and one at Riley High School.

"It took a year and a half to come to a decision, but when we made that decision my children and my wife, Kimberly, are all behind me, they're with me, they're helping me to campaign," Manigault said.

"She'll (Peggy) give me a down home perspective on some things and encourage me in those areas where we're moving forward. So she's my best critic and my best supporter," Luecke said.

Both candidates say they're in the race to make a difference. Because economic development has already been raised as a big issue, for the next two Thursdays we'll look at different aspects of that issue.