News 12 followed Republican mayoral candidate and current state Rep. Nicole Malliotakis on the campaign trail Tuesday.

Malliotakis is facing off against incumbent Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio, along with some third-party candidates, in the Nov. 7 general election.

Malliotakis likes to get an early start each day, and spent part of her Tuesday talking to seniors around Brooklyn.

"They built this community, they paid taxes their whole lives," she says. "I have elderly parents as well, who are senior citizens now and you see their vulnerabilities."

Malliotakis has served as an assemblywoman for New York state's 60th District for the past seven years. The daughter of immigrant Greek-Cuban parents, she says she has so far focused her campaign on listening to people.

"I'm really excited about going around the city of New York meeting New Yorkers, finding out what the various concerns are," she says.

Malliotakis explains that hard work plays a big role during her 12-hour days, from creating campaign strategies to managing a budget and passing out flyers. But she says the best part of campaigning is meeting the people of New York City: "I'm having a great time regardless of where in the city I am, and so it energizes me to keep on going."