America’s mayors are on the frontlines of crises hitting cities across the country, finding themselves consumed with fighting drug epidemics, homelessness and the devastating effects of climate change.

Yet mayors aren’t often heard from on the national stage. Until now.

Welcome to POLITICO’s Mayors Club, a first-of-its-kind roundtable of 50 mayors, one from each state. We convened these mayors to tell us how they’re tackling the issues their own voters are demanding action on – and what they’re pushing state and national leaders for. Mayors – regardless of their party, the size of their population or their location – are judged on some of the most mundane aspects of government, like filling potholes and plowing snow. But they're also charged with navigating some of the most complex, like tax and real estate policy.

Mayors are also often more nimble than their counterparts in higher levels of government, possessing the flexibility to experiment with policy and try out new potential solutions to persistent problems.

These mayors are from small towns like Gibbon, Neb., (pop. 1,889) and big cities like San Diego (pop. 1.38 million). They are Republicans and Democrats and independents. They are new to politics at 23 years old or in their seventh term in office at 68. They include military veterans, a social worker, a surgeon, a son of immigrants — and many mark a historic “first”: the first woman, or first openly gay person, or first person of color to lead their communities.

Throughout the year, we will survey and interview these leaders on a variety of key issues plaguing cities and towns across the country — and what solutions mayors are rolling out. You’ll hear more of their stories as the project unfolds.

Our Mayors Club marks a commitment from this newsroom to look beyond Washington and dig into state and local policy. Stay tuned for more.