96-532: Byron Brown Democratic Byron Brown Democratic Pre- consolidation : Post- consolidation : Pre- consolidation : Post- consolidation : The 2021 Buffalo mayoral election was held on November 2, 2021. Democratic Mayor Byron Brown won his fifth term in office as a write-in candidate . Brown's victory marked the first time since 1985 that Buffalo did not elect the Democratic nominee for mayor. Four-time incumbent Democratic Mayor Byron Brown lost
192-627: A 38% black population, was 75% contained in Brown's State Senate district. Brown carried 59% of the vote in the September 13, 2005, Democratic primary. He then went on to face Kevin Helfer, a former City Council colleague, in the general election. Brown was the sixth African-American to win the Democratic Mayor Primary since the 1960s, but all before him had failed to win the general election, even though
288-482: A conflict of interest because we're in the general election . . . I'm appealing to every voter.” Brown accepted significant assistance in gathering signatures for his attempt at ballot access from Republican activists opposed to Walton, including Republican elected officials, members of the Erie County Republican Committee, and at least one member of local far-right organizations, as well as members of
384-450: A district outside New York City and the first member of any minority race to represent a majority-white New York State Senate district. He announced in a September press conference that he would resign as mayor of Buffalo sometime in October. Brown's resignation took effect on October 15, 2024, with Christopher Scanlon serving as acting mayor until the next mayoral election in 2025. Brown
480-426: A fifth term on February 25, 2021, through a video on Facebook . During the primary campaign his campaign spent $ 71,000, which was less than the $ 360,000 he had spent during the 2017 primary, he refused to participate in debates, despite having participated in two debates during the 2017 primary, and his greatest expense during the primary was $ 9,730 on lawn signs. Brown only turned in around 6,000 signatures to appear on
576-483: A good working relationship with the Buffalo Common Council . As mayor of Buffalo, he presided over emergency relief from blizzards such as the mid-October 2006 two-foot snow storm. The storm more than doubled the previous record for single-day October snowfall. Despite the fact that about 200,000 city residents were without electricity, the city saw no spike in criminal activity, according to Brown. Buffalo
672-694: A group of block club leaders. Brown eventually served as a vice president of the organization. Brown was recognized in the November 1989 issue of Ebony magazine as one of the "30 Leaders of the Future" with a caption that read "Byron Brown chosen for leadership skills." The Buffalo Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1991 honored him with the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for community service . In 1993 he
768-448: A major role in Brown's election to the office of mayor. Brown supported Andrew Cuomo for New York Attorney General in the 2006 general election, David Paterson for Lieutenant Governor of New York in the 2006 general election and Antoine Thompson for 60th District New York Senator in a special election on February 28, 2006. Lenihan disagreed with each of these choices. Thompson had run Brown's last common council campaign, and Brown
864-464: A press conference on September 30, 2024, where he announced his intention to resign from office in order to accept a job as president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. His resignation took effect on October 15. Christopher Scanlon , the president of the Buffalo Common Council, will serve as acting mayor until the regularly scheduled mayoral election in November 2025. Byron Brown
960-409: A rebuke of socialism", issues that his opponent India Walton ran on. Brown received general election endorsements from U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi , Buffalo Common Council members Joseph Golombek, Christopher Scanlon , and Ulysees Wingo, former mayor of Buffalo Anthony Masiello , the editorial board of The Buffalo News , and the local, county, and state police unions . Brown held
1056-492: A six-point "statement of principles" focused on punishing gun possession "to the maximum extent of the law", prosecuting dealers who knowingly sell guns to criminals through so-called straw purchasers , opposing two United States House of Representatives bills to restrict cities' access to gun-tracing data, endorsing technologies to detect illegal guns, and coordinating strategies and outreach to other cities in hopes of reconvening with at least 50 mayors by year end. A little over
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#17328584591411152-610: A write-in candidate. A majority of the members of the Buffalo Board of Education endorsed Walton on August 19, 2021. Board members Kathy Evans Brown, Hope Jay, Jennifer Mecozzi, Ann Rivera, and Lawrence Scott held a joint press conference to announce the endorsement. On August 30, 2021, Walton publicly stated her support for Starbucks employees' effort at unionization in Buffalo. In October 2021, Walton voiced support for elderly, veteran, and disabled tenants at Peace Bride Apartments fighting
1248-531: A year as a regional sales representative. Brown quit after a short tenure and took the New York State Troopers exam before becoming Chief of staff for Buffalo Common Council President George Arthur for two years. He then spent two years as an aide to Erie County Legislator Roger Blackwell (later Erie County Legislature Chairman). Then, he worked for two years under Arthur Eve , the Deputy Speaker of
1344-499: A year later the Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition co-chaired by Bloomberg and Menino included 225 bi-partisan municipal leaders in pursuit of legal, political and media strategies to stem gun crime and had a stated goal of "making the public safer by getting illegal guns off the streets". Brown noted that he learned several techniques that became useful in Buffalo in reducing the homicide rate 21% from
1440-452: A year of Junior Varsity basketball as a 5-foot-11-inch (1.80 m) guard . While he had considered a potential medical career, Brown graduated in 1983 with a dual Bachelor of Arts in political science and journalism . He subsequently completed a certificate program for senior executives in state and local government at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government . After college, Brown worked for Bristol-Myers for
1536-774: Is an American activist and politician who has served as the New York City Public Advocate since 2019. He is a former member of the New York City Council from the 45th district , which includes East Flatbush , Flatbush , Flatlands , Marine Park , and Midwood in Brooklyn . A member of the Democratic Party and a self-described democratic socialist , Williams was a member of the New York City Council from 2010 to 2019. He served as Deputy Leader of
1632-543: Is an American politician who served as the 62nd mayor of Buffalo , New York from 2006 until his resignation in 2024. He was the city's first African-American mayor and longest-serving mayor of Buffalo. He previously served Western New York as a member of the New York State Senate and Buffalo Common Council . He is the first African-American politician elected to the New York State Senate to represent
1728-589: Is married to the former Michelle Austin and they have a son, Byron III, who is referred to as Byron Jr. by some accounts. Brown III enjoys basketball and has attended high-level youth basketball camps. He played for City Honors School . On the national level, he was an unheralded point guard in the 2008 high school graduating class, and he went on to attend Queen City Prep in Charlotte, North Carolina . The Brown family attends St. John Baptist Church. While mayor, Brown has performed at least one wedding ceremony at
1824-1166: Is not a requirement for him to endorse every Democratic nominee. In a comparison that quickly drew controversy and condemnation, he used the example of not endorsing white supremacist former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan David Duke if he won the Democratic nomination for mayor of Rochester to explain his refusal to endorse Walton, who is African-American. Many prominent Democratic leaders in New York called for Jacobs to resign following his remarks, including Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , State Senator Alessandra Biaggi , and Congressman Jamaal Bowman . U.S. Senators U.S. Representatives State legislators Local officials Political parties Organizations Labor unions Individuals Newspapers and other media U.S. Representatives State officials State legislators Local officials Labor unions Party officials Individuals Newspapers and other media U.S. Representatives Byron Brown Byron William Brown II (born September 24, 1958)
1920-414: Is second only to St. Louis among cities nationwide in terms of percentage of vacant properties per capita. Therefore, in fall 2007, Brown committed to a $ 100 million five-year plan to demolish 5,000 houses, which is about half of the city's total of vacant houses. However, since Buffalo has the second highest residential poverty rate (to Detroit ) homes continue to be abandoned. The program may benefit
2016-606: The 2010 United States Senate special election in New York and met with Brown as part of his statewide political travels. Brown was elected to a third and fourth term, winning handily in both elections. Among some of his most notable actions during these terms include successfully lobbying for a replacement for the Exchange Street Amtrak station and announcing changes to the Buffalo Police Department following an incident between protesters and police during
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#17328584591412112-495: The 2013 election . Brown defeated Comptroller Mark J. F. Schroeder in the Democratic primary and the general election in 2017. Brown's four previous terms as mayor made him the longest-serving mayor of Buffalo alongside James D. Griffin . Scott J. Wilson Jr., a nineteen-year-old who had worked for Comptroller Mark J. F. Schroeder and unsuccessfully ran for comptroller in 2017, announced his campaign for mayor on June 13, 2020, but he did not collect enough signatures to appear on
2208-566: The Buffalo Bills ) Timothy J. Russert Highway. In a public relations controversy, Brown got caught in a fight against the movement to replace traditional lawns with front yard gardens. His office had issued an edict that a resident remove her landscape renovations. However, an e-mail campaign in defense of the resident caused the mayor to rethink his stance. In 2019 Buffalo won the Golden Snowball Award , an award presented annually to
2304-555: The Buffalo police shoving incident . Walton defeated Brown and Durham in the Democratic primary, but Brown did not immediately concede. After the primary Jeremy Zellner, the chair of the Erie County Democratic Party, stated that the party was in support of Walton. State legislators Local officials Organizations Newspapers Political parties Newspapers The Working Families Party had supported Brown in
2400-573: The Erie County cabinet-level Director of Equal Employment Opportunity post. Brown was raised in Hollis in a duplex his family shared with his grandparents, who were immigrants from the Caribbean island of Montserrat . He grew up on 200th Street between 100th and 104th Avenues and has several relatives still in the area. As a Queens resident, he was a New York Mets and New York Knicks fan. Brown
2496-507: The F.B.I. , for multiple allegations involving political donations and city government contracts since 2015. Many of Brown's close political advisers and employees have been interviewed and Steve Pigeon , a political operative who lobbied Brown's office on garbage contracts, pleaded guilty to arranging an illegal donation to the campaign of former Governor Andrew Cuomo , also a close ally of Brown. Brown has not been charged, but multiple investigations remain open. Brown attempted to appear on
2592-618: The George Floyd protests . He also oversaw a period of development after the passing of the Buffalo Billion program. He was a close political ally of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo . In 2016, Brown spearheaded The Unified Development Ordinance, also known as the Buffalo Green Code, which eliminated minimum parking standards in the city's zoning regulations. In 2021, Brown campaigned for an unprecedented fifth term, but
2688-455: The National Trust for Historic Preservation , which got him attention from coast to coast. In 2008, Brown convinced Buffalo to use a real-time wireless video surveillance system. The city installed 56 Avrio Rapid Deployment Surveillance Solution PoleCams. The system was the result of a request by Brown that the city evaluate surveillance cameras in other cities. By January 2009 State of
2784-647: The New York State Assembly . Subsequently, he served eight years as director of the Erie County division of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski . He resigned his directorship in July 1993 to run for public office. During his early career, Brown also became a member of Grassroots , a political organization that was founded in 1986 by
2880-604: The United States senator from New York. This marked a break from his earlier political organization, Grassroots, which supported Barack Obama from the outset. He even ran to be a delegate for Clinton at the 2008 Democratic National Convention . In July 2008, Golisano announced that he would attempt to create change in Albany by spending $ 5 million on targeted campaigns. During the New York state September primary elections for state office, The New York Times alleged that Brown
2976-561: The 2005, 2009, 2013, and 2017 mayoral elections. Walton won the nomination of the Working Families Party, but failed to formally accept the nomination in time for the filing deadline. So the Erie County Board of Elections ruled her ineligible to appear on the ballot with their nomination under the deadline rules. The Working Families Party raised over $ 230,000 to support India Walton notwithstanding. Wilson attempted to appear on
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3072-597: The Buffalo Waterfront to show his commitment to its development. Before the end of the year, restoration on the original point where the Erie Canal met the Great Lakes was underway. Brown presented his plans for the development during subsequent tours by top state leaders, including future New York State Governors Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson . Erie Canal Harbor eventually opened on July 2, 2008. In early 2006,
3168-542: The Buffalo economy would not benefit from a business designed to transfer money from local citizens to the Seneca Gaming Corporation. Brown withheld support while awaiting clarification of the target consumer for the third casino. In October 2006, the Seneca Nation and Brown came to terms on the final sale of a two-block stretch of city road that runs amid the 9-acre (36,000 m ) construction site. As part of
3264-556: The City Address, Brown reported that crime had fallen 12% and homicide by 50% since he had taken office. On June 13, 2008, upon the death of NBC News Washington Bureau Chief and Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert , who was a proud Buffalo native, Brown ordered that all flags on city property be lowered to half-staff in order to honor Russert's memory. Brown called Russert one of Buffalo's finest ambassadors, and his decision to lower
3360-570: The City Council and as chair of the Task Force on City Workforce Equity. A candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York in 2018 , he lost to incumbent Kathy Hochul . Williams was elected New York City Public Advocate in the 2019 special election to complete the term of Letitia James , who resigned to become Attorney General of New York . He was re-elected in 2021. Williams ran for governor in 2022 , losing to incumbent governor Kathy Hochul in
3456-622: The Conservative, Independence and Libertarian parties. As part of his write-in campaign, Brown distributed "push stamps" with his name so that voters could simply stamp his name onto the ballot. Governor Kathy Hochul declined to endorse a candidate in the race, despite Walton winning the Democratic nomination. On October 18, Jay Jacobs, Chair of the New York State Democratic Committee and close ally of former Governor Cuomo, restated his own refusal to endorse. He said that it
3552-537: The Democratic Party endorsement in June 1993, with the help of Holt who voted for Robinson instead of himself. In June, Brown was notified that he must resign his Erie County cabinet-level post in order to run for public office and he did so in July. Holt won the Democratic nomination with a 267-vote 40–37% margin over Brown in the September 14, 1993 primary election . Brown won the September 1995 Democratic primary for
3648-513: The Democratic Party primary, Brown launched a write-in campaign for the general election. Brown's staffers staged a rally outside Sahlen Field days after the primary to encourage support for his general election write-in campaign . The president of the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association stated that Brown would have the support of the union if he ran as a write-in candidate. Brown announced on June 28, that he would run as
3744-584: The Democratic gubernatorial primary, endorsed each other. Williams lost the primary by less than seven points. Williams ran in the 2019 special election for New York City Public Advocate when Letitia James vacated her seat to become New York state attorney general . The New York Times endorsed him in both his 2018 campaign for lieutenant governor and his 2019 campaign for public advocate. The New York City chapter of Democratic Socialists of America endorsed him in 2018, but in 2019 did not endorse anyone for Public Advocate. The New York Daily News broke
3840-454: The Democratic primary. Williams's parents, Greg and Patricia Williams, are from St. Andrew , Grenada. His father was a footballer and cricketer before moving to the U.S. to study medicine. He has a brother. Williams is an alumnus of Brooklyn Technical High School and Brooklyn College , from which he received a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2001 and a Master of Arts in urban policy and administration in 2005. Williams
3936-505: The Erie County Democratic Party has supported India Walton following her victory in the Democratic Party primary, Brown increasingly relied on support from local Republican officials and right-wing organizations which were opposed to Walton, including to assist with collecting signatures for a place on the general election ballot. On August 17, 2021, Brown's campaign submitted approximately 3,000 signatures in order to appear on
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4032-635: The Fair Chance Act, commonly known as Ban the Box . The law prohibits public and private employers from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment is made. On August 13, 2015, the New York City Council passed Intro. 700, Williams's legislation, which, along with bills sponsored by Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito and Council Member Dan Garodnick , established regulations for "tenant relocation specialists", people landlords employ to buy out tenants. The mayor signed
4128-609: The June Democratic primary to India Walton , a political activist and nurse. Brown chose to run in the general election as a write-in candidate, and then attempted to obtain ballot access, but continued as a write-in when he was unable to secure a place on the ballot. The race attracted national attention as a proxy battle between progressives and moderates with Walton running as a socialist, and Brown running with moderate Democratic as well as Republican support. In addition to Brown, there were at least three other write-in candidates. On
4224-612: The June primary. On September 5, 2011, during the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, Williams and Kirsten John Foy, director of community relations for then- New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio , were arrested and handcuffed for walking along a closed-off sidewalk, after having received permission to do so from other officers. Williams was a supporter of the Occupy Wall Street movement, and in September 2012
4320-576: The K-9 unit, and a mobile command to police "Quad Party", a yearly, end-of-semester celebration held by students of Canisius College, which is situated in his neighborhood, prompting accusations of "overkill" in terms of law enforcement presence. In August 2008, it was revealed that Brown condoned a Buffalo Police Department policy of illegally withholding crime reports from public knowledge. Jumaane Williams Jumaane D. Williams ( / dʒ u ˈ m ɑː n i / joo- MAH -nee ; born May 11, 1976)
4416-516: The Masten District Buffalo Common Council seat. He then took time out from campaigning to attend the October 16, 1995 Million Man March . Brown ousted 18-year veteran council member, David Collins, to win his seat on the Buffalo Common Council. He beat Collins by a 5,391–1,670 (76–24%) margin in the November 7, 1995 general election. In his 1997 re-election campaign, he won the September 9 Democratic primary handily, and he
4512-565: The New York State Governor would appoint a minority senator such as Brown, Gregory W. Meeks , H. Carl McCall , William C. Thompson Jr. , José E. Serrano or Nydia M. Velázquez . However, Andrew Cuomo was the front-runner for the seat and the next most likely candidates were Velázquez, Steve Israel , Nita Lowey and Meeks. Prominent women who were mentioned include Carolyn B. Maloney and Caroline Kennedy . The New York Times' s Danny Hakim noted that Cuomo, Paterson and Brown were
4608-399: The November 2 general election, Brown was re-elected after winning 58.8% of the vote as a write-in candidate. Brown declared his surprise victory as "one of the greatest comeback stories in our history." Brown had focused his campaign on rejecting the supposed radical views of Walton while stressing his own moderate credentials. He stated his victory was "a rebuke of defund the police , [...]
4704-612: The Seneca Nation filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to build the third of the three Western New York casinos that had been legislated in 2002. In 2007, Brown was not sure he was in favor of the third casino, which seemed to cater to local residents instead of luring tourist revenues. Tom Golisano , founder of Paychex , former owner of the Buffalo Sabres National Hockey League franchise and three-time candidate for New York State Governor, suggested that
4800-702: The Upstate New York city that had the largest snowfall the previous winter. Brown refused to claim the Golden Snowball Trophy from the mayor of the previous winner, Syracuse, because he "did not see the contest as 'a real contest'". On September 15, 2009, Brown won the Democratic Primary for a second term by a nearly two to one margin over City council member Michael P. Kearns . Brown had amassed an early lead amongst voters until several scandals involving former basketball star Leonard Stokes, including
4896-711: The Walton campaign appealed the decision, and on September 16, state and federal courts definitively took Brown off the November ballot. On September 17, the Board of Elections began printing general election ballots with Walton as the only listed candidate. Brown's campaign accepted significant donations from individual Republicans and benefited from independent expenditures by the New York Republican Party, including mailers promoting his write-in campaign. Brown expressed openness to accepting Republican support, saying “I don't see
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#17328584591414992-400: The ballot as an independent, with the party label "Buffalo Party." The Erie County Board of Elections initially ruled the petitions invalid, and Brown sued for ballot access. However, on September 16, 2021, state and federal courts ruled against Brown, meaning that he would not appear on the 2021 general election ballot and would instead continue his campaign as a write-in candidate. During
5088-491: The ballot in the general election on the Conservative Party of New York , Working Families Party and Green Party lines. The Republican Party nominee was the politically inexperienced Harrison R. Woolworth. Although Brown began the race without organized political support, he earned endorsements from many veteran non-Western New York politicians such as H. Carl McCall , Andrew Cuomo , and Hillary Clinton . When he
5184-655: The beginning of his mayoral tenure, his mother was living in Buffalo. He also is a member of the Erie County Democratic Committee. He was a delegate to the 1992 , 2000 and 2004 Democratic National Conventions. On May 2, 2008, Brown made use of the Buffalo Police Department, police from neighboring suburbs, the S.W.A.T team, Erie County Sheriff's department (with officers' guns strapped to their thighs), CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives) Unit armored vehicles,
5280-658: The church. Byron Brown is a chapter president of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, a past President of the Buffalo State College Alumni Association Board, and at the time of his mayoral inauguration he sat on the Board of the Boy Scout Council of Western New York and the Community Action Organization of Erie County. Brown collects tropical fish and maintains an aquarium in his Buffalo Mayor's office. His parents divorced and at
5376-580: The city because abandoned house costs it an approximate average of $ 20,060 over five years in lost taxes, debris removal, inspections, and policing. Also, 41% of all fires in Buffalo are in vacant buildings, and more than 90% of all arson cases involved abandoned houses. Subsequently, during the first ever "State of Upstate Address", New York Governor Spitzer suggested committing $ 100 million in state funds to build or rehabilitate 10,000 homes and apartments. The mayor's initial demolition plans met with resistance from preservationists and he had to negotiate with
5472-520: The city council, instead endorsing Monique Chandler-Waterman , who lost to Louis in the May special election. In 2018 , Williams challenged incumbent lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor , running on a platform of anti-corruption, affordable housing, and criminal justice reform. Williams and Cynthia Nixon , who challenged incumbent governor Andrew Cuomo in
5568-598: The city had not elected a Republican since 1961. His Republican opponent, Helfer, beat him in the Conservative Party Primary as a write-in candidate, although Brown had been endorsed by that party. Brown raised more than five times as much money as Helfer, however, and defeated him 64% to 27% in the general election. Brown was sworn in on December 31, 2005, at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center . During his first day in office he toured
5664-490: The city population and industrial tax base had decreased. Six candidates, including Brown, entered the race to replace him, with Brown accumulating many endorsements and the backing of organized labor. New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer described helping Brown win the Mayoral race as his "biggest campaign priority" in the last month and a half before Primary Day. Buffalo, which had an 8:1 Democrat to Republican ratio and
5760-558: The coalition and talks with specific mayors. Rising homicides had been a disappointment in his first year as mayor. Brown's first-year review as a mayor was mixed. He was praised for his overhaul of city hall, his follow through on projects and systems, and his influence on statewide redistribution, but he was dogged by crime issues and his efforts for the planned casino. His agenda, hiring and discipline were respected, but rising homicides, continuing decay and evolving bureaucracy were troubling. In addition to public perceptions, Brown had
5856-479: The convention on May 30, 2006. Throughout the campaign Brown was described as a close political advisor to Cuomo. He was noted as (along with Charles Rangel ) one of the important black political leaders that Cuomo courted on his road to victory. During the 2008 United States presidential election , like most of the New York State Democratic establishment, Brown was a supporter of Hillary Clinton ,
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#17328584591415952-429: The council, the future state senator and mayor was called "bright, creative and hardworking" in a 1999 Buffalo News survey. In 2000, he competed for the Democratic nomination for the New York State Senate 57th District against incumbent Al Coppola and Samuel A. Herbert. Coppola was endorsed by Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello . Brown won the September 2000 primary by a wide 18% margin. However, Coppola remained on
6048-438: The flags in honor of Russert, a civilian who never held elected office, was an unusual gesture that was described as breathtaking on Hardball with Chris Matthews by Tom Brokaw . He was joined by several other officials in recognizing Russert. Chief among those was United States President George W. Bush who signed a bill that named a stretch of U.S. Route 20A that passes in front of Ralph Wilson Stadium (home stadium of
6144-473: The formation of an exploratory committee to seek the Democratic nomination for governor in 2022. On November 16, 2021, Williams formally announced his bid for governor. Williams finished second in the June 2022 Democratic primary, losing to Gov. Kathy Hochul by a wide margin. While Williams initially received the support of the Working Families Party, the Party dropped him from the ballot and endorsed Hochul following
6240-531: The general election ballot as an independent candidate, but his petition was challenged by the Erie County Board of Elections. His name did not appear on the general election ballot. Carl Paladino , who previously served on the Buffalo Public Schools board of education and unsuccessfully ran in the 2010 gubernatorial election as a Republican , considered running as a write-in candidate, but would only have run if Brown did not continue his campaign in
6336-487: The general election ballot through a petition and court challenge as an independent, with the party label Buffalo Party, but ultimately lost the court cases and continued campaigning as a write-in. Brown was placed on the ballot by Judge John Sinatra , who had been appointed by president Donald Trump . Walton criticized the ruling and accused Sinatra of bias, pointing out that his brother is a regular contributor to Byron Brown's campaign. The Erie County Board of Elections and
6432-580: The general election. Paladino endorsed Brown in the general election, but withdrew his endorsement of Brown on August 26 and announced a boycott campaign instead, urging Buffalonians to neither vote for nor donate to Brown, Walton nor any other candidate. Other write-in candidates included Independent attorney Benjamin Carlisle, Republican candidate for district 141 of the New York State Assembly in 2020 Jaz Miles, and Republican sports booking manager William O'Dell. Following India Walton's defeat of Brown in
6528-639: The legislation into law on September 9, 2015. Williams has cited his religious beliefs as an influence on his views on issues such as gay marriage and abortion. He expressed opposition to gay marriage and abortion as recently as 2017, but has since altered his position on these issues. As of 2019, Williams had reportedly received a 100% rating from the Planned Parenthood of New York City Action Fund. Williams resigned from office on March 19, 2019 to become New York City Public Advocate. He declined to back his former staffer, Farah Louis , to succeed him on
6624-416: The longest serving Mayor of Buffalo once he began his fifth term on January 1, 2022, breaking the record held by James D. Griffin . Byron Brown was elected as mayor of Buffalo, New York , in the 2005 mayoral election , becoming the first black mayor of Buffalo. He was reelected in the 2009 election after defeating common councilor Michael P. Kearns in the Democratic primary. He won reelection in
6720-444: The night of November 3, 2021, Brown declared his victory over Walton although tabulation of the write-in votes in Erie County (of which Buffalo is a part of) would not commence until November 17. The day after the election, Walton released a statement stating that although a victory "seems unlikely," her campaign would not concede until all votes were counted. Brown's victory became official on November 19, 2021. Brown's victory made him
6816-676: The owners of the apartments for lease renewals. Walton also spoke in favor of increased funding and maintenance for city parks at an event at Shoshone Park in October. On August 19, The Buffalo News published an article on Walton, who was arrested in 2014 on a charge of second-degree harassment after Walton allegedly threatened to commit bodily harm to a fellow nurse at the Buffalo Children's Hospital. All charges against Walton were dismissed. The Buffalo News separately reported, on September 19, that Byron Brown and his administration have been under investigation by federal authorities, including
6912-441: The primary ballot which was less than the 20,000 he turned in in 2009, and the 15,000 he turned in in 2017. Late in the primary, Walton's campaign received a boost when New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams endorsed her and headlined several fundraisers to support her campaign. Walton had previously received some local attention while active in the George Floyd protests , when she criticized Mayor Brown for his handling of
7008-577: The primary ballot. India Walton , a longtime member of Families Against Mandatory Minimums and 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East , executive director of the Fruit Belt Community Land Trust , and member of the Democratic Socialists of America , announced her campaign on December 13, 2020. Le’Candice Durham, a compliance clerk for Buffalo's 3-1-1 line, ran in the election. Brown announced that he would seek reelection to
7104-469: The questionable government support of his failed "One Sunset" restaurant and a perceived undue influence in mitigating Stokes's arrest for possessing a stolen handicapped parking permit, cut away most of his lead. There were no Republican, third-party or independent candidates, so Brown ran unopposed and won the general election. Brown and Erie County Democratic Party chairman Leonard Lenihan were at odds over various political positions after Lenihan played
7200-541: The sale the nation agreed to both marketing terms (regarding marketing beyond the local region), and hiring preferences for city residents. However, in January 2007, a federal judge ruled that the granting of permission to run the third casino by the National Indian Gaming Commission was improper. Seneca Nation received federal approval for their casino on July 2, 2007, and opened the following day. Brown
7296-622: The special election process. The Erie and Niagara County Democratic committees bypassed Thompson as their nominee in favor of Marc Coppola despite Brown's backing in the February special election. Thompson subsequently decided to run for the New York Senate seat in the November general election. The week before the 2006 New York State Democratic Convention, Brown was described as a political confidant of Democratic New York Attorney General candidate Andrew Cuomo. He seconded Cuomo's nomination at
7392-476: The story of his 2009 arrest in a domestic dispute, publishing records that had been sealed, which were used by rival candidates. In a crowded field with 18 other candidates, including former council speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and state assemblyman Michael Blake , Williams won, with 33% of the vote to Mark-Viverito's 11% and Blake's 8%. Republican Eric Ulrich received 19%. In his post-election remarks Williams said that he would work with Mayor de Blasio. He
7488-620: The subject, Brown was mentioned and Cuomo wasn't. When Paterson announced he had selected Blue Dog Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand , Brown was one of the few contenders to attend the event. When Andrew Cuomo ran for governor during the 2010 New York gubernatorial election , Brown was mentioned in early 2010 as a possible Lieutenant Governor of New York candidate by numerous sources, including multiple journalists from The New York Times . Meanwhile, in early 2010, newly transplanted New Yorker Harold Ford Jr. considered challenging New York's junior United States senator, Kirsten E. Gillibrand , in
7584-482: The three names most often mentioned prior to Paterson's ascension to the governor's office. Although these three were the favorites, Brown was considered an unknown outside of Western New York. Nonetheless, Brown's name was mentioned before Kennedy's and Cuomo's in a New York Times article paragraph about Paterson's final nomination decision thoughts. In fact, in at least one article in The New York Times on
7680-713: Was a Boy Scout at Hollis Presbyterian Church in Queens and was also active in the Central Queens YMCA (now called Jamaica YMCA ). Brown attended Public School 134 in Hollis, junior high school PS 109, and August Martin High School , where he played the trumpet in the high school band. Brown and his sister, Andrea, were the first generation in his family to attend college. After graduating from August Martin High School, Brown attended Buffalo State College . He played
7776-487: Was a rising star in the declining years of the " Harlem Clubhouse ", a loose political fraternity of David Dinkins , Charles Rangel , Basil Paterson , Percy Sutton and sometimes H. Carl McCall that had dominated state politics while forging the careers of its members for much of the late 20th century. He was envisioned as a front-runner for the 2006 Democratic nomination as Lieutenant Governor of New York or as Buffalo's first black mayor. By 2004 it seemed clear that he
7872-559: Was aiding Golisano's attempt to unseat Sam Hoyt in the New York State Assembly. As Hillary Clinton resigned her United States Senate seat on January 21, 2009, to assume a position in the United States Cabinet under United States President Barack Obama , New York Governor David Paterson was required to appoint a temporary replacement until a special election in 2010 for the balance of her term. Some thought that
7968-485: Was assaulted by a member of the NYPD at an Occupy Wall Street event. Williams was also arrested in 2018 for protesting the detention of immigrant-rights activist Ravi Ragbir after Ragbir was detained during one of his regular check-ins with ICE . Williams was diagnosed with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Tourette syndrome as a child and has advocated for people with those conditions. Williams
8064-459: Was born and raised in Queens, New York . He rose to office after serving in a variety of political roles. He began his political career as an aide to local representatives in several legislative bodies (Buffalo Common Council, Erie County Legislature, and New York State Assembly ) and later became involved in a regional political organization. After several roles as a legislative aide, he was appointed to
8160-473: Was certified and sworn into office on March 19, 2019. In the case that New York City mayor Eric Adams resigns or is removed from office due to ongoing criminal investigations into his administration, Williams will become interim mayor until a special election can select a new mayor. In 2024, Williams said he was against a proposed zoning change that would have eliminated parking mandates for new housing units. On September 28, 2021, Williams announced
8256-551: Was controversial because it granted slot machine rights to casino operators for the first time in New York State. Both of the previous casinos used video gambling machines with debit cards . Brown supported the casinos as a way to support the local economy. When the casino was completed in 2003, he was on the seven-member commission that was to apportion the state's agreed 18% share of the slot machine revenue, amounting to approximately $ 40 million. By spring of 2003, Brown
8352-399: Was defeated in the Democratic primary on June 23, 2021, by India Walton . During the primary campaign, Brown refused to participate in debates. While initially low key in his fundraising efforts, he was supported by a number of wealthy donors late into his campaign. After his defeat in the primary, Brown announced that he would run as a write-in candidate in the general election. Since
8448-634: Was elected after defeating incumbent Councilmember Kendall Stewart in the September 2009 Democratic primary by a margin of 12 points. Williams won the general election with an endorsement from the Working Families Party . He was easily reelected in 2013. In June 2013, the New York City Council passed Williams's Community Safety Act, which established an Inspector General to oversee the New York Police Department (NYPD) and created an enforceable ban against bias-based profiling. The Act
8544-528: Was eyeing the mayor's office. In the 2004 New York State Senate elections, Republican nominee Al Coppola opposed Brown for the redistricted 60th District and garnered only 23% of the vote. In February 2005, Brown announced his candidacy for Mayor of Buffalo. On April 29, 2005, three-term Democratic Mayor Anthony Masiello announced he would not seek a fourth four-year term. Masiello had run on both major party lines for his final two terms and had twice endorsed Republican Governor George Pataki. During his tenure,
8640-409: Was one of the original 15 mayors from United States cities such as Washington, Dallas, Philadelphia, Seattle and Milwaukee who convened at a meeting hosted by Michael Bloomberg and Thomas Menino at Gracie Mansion to confirm their support for more serious attacks on the use of illegal firearms. Bloomberg and Philip A. Amicone , the mayor of Yonkers , were the only Republicans. The mayors all signed
8736-595: Was originally pledged to Bob Kerrey for the Democratic presidential nomination, but Brown transferred his support to then-Governor Bill Clinton after Kerrey bowed out of the 1992 Democratic Primary campaign on March 5, 1992. In 1993, Brown was invited to attend Bill Clinton's Presidential Inauguration. In his first attempt at public office in 1993, Brown ran for the third district of the Erie County Legislature against incumbent William Robinson and George "Butch" Holt, who had Eve's endorsement. Robinson earned
8832-585: Was passed over then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg 's veto. Williams has been an outspoken opponent of the NYPD's approach to stop-and-frisk in New York City . In July 2013, Williams introduced "house party" legislation requiring parties with 40 or more people in attendance to register with the police. He also wants event organizers who advertise on social media and those charging admission to pay fines. On June 29, 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Williams's legislation,
8928-641: Was selected by Business First for its "40 Under Forty Honor Roll". He was awarded the Infinity Broadcasting/ WBLK 2001 "Voice of Power Award" and the 2004 "Citizen of the Year" award. He also received the "Political Impact Award" from the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in 2001. In 1992, Brown was a delegate to the 1992 Democratic National Convention from the New York's 33rd congressional district . His vote
9024-596: Was sworn into the State Senate on January 1, 2001, Brown became New York's first African-American State Senator elected outside of New York City . He also became the first minority member of the New York State Senate to represent a majority-white district. During Brown's tenure in the New York State Senate, the Democratic Party was in the minority. Brown was part of the majority that backed New York Governor George Pataki 's 2001 plan to build up to three Western New York casinos on Seneca Indian land. The legislation
9120-417: Was unopposed in the November 4 general election. In his 1999 re-election campaign, he again won the Democratic primary easily on September 14, and he won the November 2 general election. Beginning in January 2000, Brown served as part of the first ever African-American majority in the history of the Buffalo Common Council. In 1996, The Buffalo News described Brown as "Buffalo's Julian Bond ". While on
9216-477: Was upset that he did not get to select his successor in the 60th District. Many supporters considered boycotting the special election due to a perceived racial slight against an African American who seemed to be wrongfully shutout of the process. Lenihan pointed out that neither of the previous state senators turned mayor, Anthony Masiello and James D. Griffin , was granted the right to pick their successor, and he noted that Thompson had not been timely in entering
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