It was the first and only debate between the candidates for Buffalo mayor. Incumbent Mayor Byron Brown took on Democratic primary winner India Walton, as well as write-in candidates Benjamin Carlisle and Jaz Miles.

Questions involved everything from taxes, with Walton being the only to answer yes to an increase, to a new Bills stadium being built in the Queen City. And as many kids head back to the classroom for the time in more than a year, questions about the mayor’s involvement in school were raised.

"Just this year, we partnered with the schools on a very innovative 'Earn While You Learn Program' to catch our children up who have fallen behind due to the pandemic," Mayor Brown said. "154 students came through that program. 21 seniors were able to graduate on time because of the resources that the city provided for 'Earn While You Learn.' "

"I don’t believe the mayor should have control over the schools," Walton said. "But I do believe the mayor’s office, being one of the most influential people in the city of Buffalo, should be more involved in the decisions that are made. I think we can do a better job of reducing class sizes, providing our teachers with the resources they need so we have healthy learners in our school buildings.”

Election Day is November 2.