BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said he is strongly considering a write-in campaign for November's general election.
Hundreds of people, including local business leader Carl Paladino have recently contacted the mayor about mounting a challenge to India Walton, who won last week's Democratic mayoral primary.
However, on Sunday, the mayor distanced himself from any support he might receive from Paladino.
"I am grateful for and humbled by the widespread support and encouragement I have received over the past several days from residents across Buffalo," Mayor Brown said in a statement.
"However, I want to be very clear that I did not seek – nor will I accept – support in any form, should I decide to pursue a write-in campaign, from Carl Paladino."
Paladino had said he's prepared to help fund the mayor's write-in candidacy.
"That's pretty much the way it's going to happen," Paladino said. "The people I've spoken to are very much in favor of Byron Brown running again as a write-in, and they feel Byron Brown has been a very good mayor."
India Walton released a statement Sunday evening, in response to Mayor Brown's announcement earlier in the day:
"Byron Brown was willing to name Carl Paladino amongst his supporters just two days ago as he was shamelessly smearing my name. By refusing to concede after the votes were counted on Tuesday in our favor, our current mayor has ignored the will of the voters and opened the door to the dark side of politics when we should be working towards a collaborative and respectful transition of power.
"We appreciate the amazing outpouring of support from so many Buffalonians as well as elected officials at the local, state and federal level who are eager to work together for the betterment of our city. We are hearing loud and clear that people want to see a new kind of leadership in Buffalo that listens to and represents everyday people, and we’re not letting up.”