? Mayoral races in three major New Jersey cities are heating up as voters prepare to cast their ballots Tuesday, May 9.

With incumbent Mayor Sharpe James not seeking re-election in Newark, Cory Booker and Ron Rice have emerged as major candidates. Booker currently leads in the polls and has backing from people like Oprah Winfrey. However, his opponents stress that the focus should be on the citizens, not celebrities.

In Paterson, candidates are clamoring for Mayor Joey Torres? job. Larry Spagnola even promises to cut his own salary and council members? if elected.

Crime ranks especially high on the agenda in Trenton?s mayoral race. Mayor Doug Palmer?s opponents say the city needs to focus on reducing violence and meeting the educational needs of students.

Polls open Tuesday at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. in the three cities.