BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced on Monday he will be pursuing a write-in campaign for the general election this November.
This comes after challenger and democratic socialist India Walton became the presumptive winner in this year's mayoral primary.
“Let’s be clear that until after the general election, there is no ‘mayor-elect,'” Brown said.
Brown claims he has heard concerns from residents since primary night.
However, Brown is firm in his stance that he has refused to accept support from staunch Republican Carl Paladino.
The mayor says this was a low turn-out election and the primary is still undecided with absentee ballots outstanding.
"I’m not going to disenfranchise anyone,” he said. “I am going to bring this entire community together. And what I am seeing … the momentum. The excitement. The enthusiasm. I haven’t seen this kind of energy in a very long period of time. It’s bringing people together, and you'll see real people-power on November 2."
The mayor also took aim at some of Walton's stances on certain issues, such as defunding the police.
However, he will welcome chances to debate her until the general election.
If elected in November, it would be an unprecedented fifth term for Brown.