A little-known Republican from Staten Island who is also the youngest ever to run for public advocate is letting voters know he's not afraid of the political challenge that lies ahead. NY1's Amanda Farinacci filed the following report.

Alex Zablocki has his work cut out for him. The 26-year-old Republican is gearing up to face longtime City Council member Bill de Blasio on Election Day in the race for public advocate.

On Tuesday, Zablocki campaigned on Staten Island's South Shore in the neighborhood where he grew up, and still people didn't know who he was.

But Zablocki is trying to change that. A relatively unknown contender until last month's primary, Zablocki is a longtime aide to former City Councilman and now State Senator Andrew Lanza. His platform focuses on reducing taxes and getting rid of wasteful spending. But with just $15,000 raised, he's got a long way to go in getting his message heard. Compare that to de Blasio, who's raised nearly $2 million.

"My campaign is a grassroots effort across New York City, so it's certainly not a campaign about money, it's not a campaign about special interests, it's not a campaign about union endorsements. It's a campaign about people," Zablocki said.

Running as a Republican for a citywide office in a heavily Democratic city also poses a challenge. In 2001 and 2005, no Republican even bothered running for public advocate.

"I don't think I'm a sacrificial lamb; I'm running a strong campaign, or as strong a campaign I could run across New York City, it's certainly tough," Zablocki said. "The odds are against us in terms of registration, but I think we'll have people on our side."

So far, Zablocki hasn't picked up the endorsement of any current Republican leader, but says he doesn't even want them.

"I haven't gone out there and asked for endorsements from many people," Zablocki said. "I believe if you're going to be an independent advocate in City Hall, you need to not only be an advocate against or work with the mayor and the City Council, but to get the endorsement of people that are going to be in office next year, I don't think I could be as independent if I had their endorsement."

Zablocki says he expects his campaign and the few volunteers he's got will be working around the clock in the coming weeks. As long as he keeps his focus on the people, he says he's fine with whatever happens in November.