Willie Burnley Jr. and Jake Wilson face off for Somerville mayor

Jake Wilson, 48, came to the Somerville City Council from the sports media industry and managed the city's youth soccer league.

• He's emphasizing executive experience and administrative competency. As a counter to Ballantyne, he's promising regular Thursday night open office hours and improved city service delivery.

Willie Burnley Jr., 31, is a self-described Democratic Socialist-aligned activist with a track record of 18 legislative wins on the council.

• He would be the city's first Black, openly queer and polyamorous mayor.

They agree on many things, including rent stabilization, social housing initiatives, community land trusts and maximum affordable housing.

Where they differ is approach. Wilson's management-focused campaign showed off his "executive administrative mind" and leadership experience.

• He's been cautious about making too many commitments to spending, citing a potential "budgetary storm" that could whack City Hall.

Burnley has been more open to spending, including millions for Somerville schools.

• He's proposed an "Office of Social Housing" to try new and innovative methods of bringing down housing costs.

The bottom line: Progressive Somerville has a choice between an experienced government manager in Wilson and a more activist, and perhaps transformational, leader in Burnley.