Voters will decide the next mayor of Indianapolis on Nov. 5. Ahead of that decision, WFYI City Reporter Darian Benson spoke with the candidates.

Republican State Sen. Jim Merritt said Tuesday if he becomes mayor of Indianapolis, he will appoint a deputy mayor of education to promote quality schools, invest in minority-owned businesses and create more affordable housing to drive down racial inequalities.

Benjamin, a Democrat, was publicly offered the position by Republican mayoral candidate Jim Merritt last week.

Republican mayoral candidate State Sen. Jim Merritt announced Thursday he will ask former IMPD deputy chief, and Democrat, Bill Benjamin to serve as police chief under his administration.

The Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, CHIP, gave the candidates five questions -- including how they would address racial disparity in the barriers to housing.

Three Indianapolis mayoral candidates participated in a public forum on the city's neighborhoods. When asked how they would improve commuter traffic on the city's northeast side, each candidate had a different solution.

The group presented the mayoral candidates with desired changes in education, public safety and economic policy.

Democratic incumbent Joe Hogsett and Republican challenger Jim Merritt's first face to face mayoral debate focused on fighting poverty and raising the minimum wage.

In a press conference, Republican Candidate for Indianapolis Mayor Jim Merritt proposed solutions to Mayor Joe Hogsetts transformed housing plan, which aimed to repair, transform, or demolish 2,000 of the estimated 14,000 vacant homes in Indianapolis.

Democrat Joe Hogsett's campaign is criticizing the Republican Party for going negative on the eve of Indianapolis' mayoral election.