There are 17 contenders vying for the position of city public advocate.

The seat is open after Tish James took on the role as State Attorney General.

NY1 has reached out to all of the candidates who qualified for the NY1 Public Advocate debate.

Ron Kim has been a State Assembly member since 2012, and is the first and only Korean-American ever elected to the New York State Legislature.

For Public Advocate, he's running on the "people over corporations" party line.

NY1's first Public Advocate debate is February 6th at the CUNY Television Studios in conjunction with the city’s Campaign Finance Board, Politico New York, and several other co-sponsors.

The second is on February 20.

The Special Election for Public Advocate is Tuesday, February 26.