Editor's note: This is the first in a series of four profiles of the candidates in Lansing's mayoral race.

In the days leading up to the Aug. 2 primary for Lansing mayor, voters who meet candidate Dale Abronowitz find a man who often is his own billboard.

The city maintenance worker frequently dons T-shirts with his name and personal slogan "Addressing your concerns from A to Z," a strategy he said sets him apart from his opponents.

"I look like and can relate to the needs of the everyday person," he said. "All the others are politicians - I have to work for a living at a 9-to-5 job."

Abronowitz was the fourth candidate to enter the race and is running against incumbent Mayor Tony Benavides, state Sen. Virg Bernero and former Michigan Children's Ombudsman Lynne Martinez. The primary will narrow the race to two candidates.

Raised in Delta Township, Abronowitz was one of six children in his family and said his approach to reaching a goal has never changed.

"I've always stood up for what was right, no matter how big the obstacle was. I'm not going to take the sugar coating," he said. "We have been down at City Council meetings for a year trying to get issues addressed. It really helped because now I have an inside look of what is really going on the front line."

Abronowitz is an active member of United Auto Workers, or UAW, and hasn't held a political office in the past.

He is focusing on city maintenance services by advancing outdated equipment and utilizing manpower to their fullest potential, improving education through more parent involvement and mentor programs at community centers and untapped resources at MSU.

Bruce McAttee, community action program coordinator for UAW region 1C, said that although Abronowitz did not receive the official UAW endorsement, it was not based on his lack of political experience.

"Dale was the one (candidate) that we didn't know that well politically, so a lot of it hinged on how he thought he could take the city forward," he said of the interviews held to determine who to endorse. "Just because you are a member doesn't mean you will get the endorsement. I don't think he has the experience that you need to win the race, but he had some tremendous ideas."

Abronowitz said he is running his campaign from home and funding it out of pocket.

Leon Black, who ran for Lansing mayor in 2003 and 2001, said he understands Abronowitz's situation.

"Nobody pays attention to you unless you have money," he said. "I'd like to see the underdog win because I ran as the underdog."

In the future, McAttee said he hopes Abronowitz's ideas move forward.

"Dale is someone that, when the primary is over, should he not win, I hope the other candidates will look at some of his ideas with some promise."