It may be about a year early, but a 19-year-old politician is already campaigning for the 2021 election for mayor of Buffalo.

Scott Wilson announced his candidacy on Saturday, saying he plans to oppose incumbent Mayor Byron Brown in next year's Democratic primary. Wilson released this statement: “Mayor Brown’s faulty leadership has tarnished the name of the City of Good Neighbors for far too long. In the past few weeks, I honestly believe the mayor has demonstrated his complete lack of leadership capabilities ... and lack of enthusiasm to deliver real change for the residents of Buffalo. We need a “Street Mayor,” not a mayor who continuously hides behind guarded doors in City Hall.” 

A spokesperson sent this response from Brown: “The mayor has absolutely no interest in talking about politics during a pandemic, following weeks of national protest over the murder of George Floyd, while working day and night for racial equity, the end to police brutality, and restoring calm to the City of Buffalo. There is a time for campaigning and this certainly is not now.”

Wilson says he got his start in politics three years ago helping former City Comptroller Mark Schroeder in his mayoral campaign. He also said the city needs to focus on police reform, education, and bringing new life to the east and west sides of Buffalo.