WATCH: Jacksonville mayoral candidates face off in debate, tackle questions related to crime, development

Jacksonville, FL — With the Duval County elections quickly approaching on March 19th, the candidates trying to unseat Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry faced off in a debate hosted by WOKV and Action News Jax.

All non-write in candidates took part, including Omega Allen, NPA, Anna Lopez Brosche, REP, and Jimmy Hill, REP. Curry and his campaign declined an invitation to the debate.

During opening statements, Hill, framed himself as a businessman and a family man.

"My background is very eclectic and that's going be my strong suit in this election and that's what's gonna kind of help me stand out, hopefully, at this point in the game, get attention and help people realize there's an option, there's a choice in this election," says Hill.

As for Allen she emphasized her no-party affiliation.

"As a no-party affiliated candidate and a no-party affiliated mayor, I will have the freedom to do what's right and what's best for all of Jacksonville, without the undue influence of special interest agendas and political party agendas," says Allen.

As for Brosche, she started off her opening statements, saying it was important for voters to see the 'real' Anna Lopez Brosche, as she pushed back on ads that have been appearing on TV.

DUVAL COUNTY VOTER GUIDE: GET TO KNOW YOUR MAYORAL CANDIDATES

"I'm a Jacksonville-native and I love my hometown. I'm running for mayor of Jacksonville, because the City of Jacksonville is not safer than it was four years ago, and that's hurting our community, from an economic development and job creation perspective," says Brosche.

During the debate, candidates were pressed on their thoughts on a variety of issues from transparency, to fiscal waste, as well as crime.

One of several questions related to crime, centered on what the candidates believe is the biggest contributor to violent crime in Jacksonville.

Allen says she believes the lack of economic development is the driving factor in Jacksonville's crime areas.

"I believe if we would infuse the areas that have been neglected and have been under-served with economic development, we could indeed drive out the crime issues. I believe that if we get with children early in life, teaching them self-respect, including in their curriculum artistic features, like music and art, I believe that will help them to curtail the desire or be enticed into crime," explains Allen.

Brosche, meanwhile, says the biggest contributor says is the fact we're failing our children and neighborhoods.

"We are lacking investments in prevention and intervention. The amount that we have invested in prevention and intervention has not increased in 10 years," says Brosche.

As for Hill, he believes the problem is lack of mentorship, whether that's the failure of the family or the failure of society.

"As teenagers get a little older, get into the 12, 13, 14-years-old, there's nothing for these kids to do, but go out and get into trouble. But then immediately, the biggest piece of that puzzle that's not talked about is the drug trade," Hill says.

 Watch the candidates tackle other questions relating to crime and development in Jacksonville below:

To get a deep dive into each candidate, including why they decided to run, visit the WOKV Duval County Voter Guide to see questionnaires from the mayoral hopefuls, by clicking HERE.