Another candidate throws his hat into the ring in the race for Buffalo Mayor. Benjamin Carlisle announced his candidacy late Friday afternoon.
He admits that as a write-in candidate entering the race in late summer, he has a significant rise ahead of him. But Carlisle says he’s entering the race because he’s the most dissatisfied with the contestants in the race.
“In general, we have our choice between a generic Republican candidate and a generic Democratic candidate. And this year we don’t even have that,” Carlisle said. “This year the only person on the ballot will be an avowed socialist for 16 years. I feel like the people in Buffalo need a choice other than what I like to say, the status quo or socialism. “
India Walton won the Democratic primary in June, angering four-year-old incumbent Byron Brown. The incumbent mayor remains in the running as a candidate for registration. Also running for write-in is Jaz Miles, who last year ran unsuccessfully as a Republican against Crystal Peoples-Stokes in the 141st New York State Assembly District.
Carlisle says he’s not running for either a Democrat or a Republican. According to him, the most important element of his platform is the eradication of corruption in the town hall. As a law graduate from the University of Buffalo, he shows a particular interest in affordable housing and community development. He believes that he would create more equal opportunities.
“Everyone knows what it takes to either develop a project or receive a construction offer under Byron Brown. But in all honesty, what India Walton is suggesting is very scary and makes Byron Brown’s nepotism almost attractive. What I offer is transparency. India Walton has basically declared war on developments in the city of Buffalo. She accuses anyone who wants to renovate their house of being a gentrifier, “he said.
By participating in the race at this point, Carlisle admits he is also lagging far behind in fundraising for campaigns. He tells the WBFO that the required paperwork was filed with New York State last week and that he has opened a bank account for the campaign. He also received his first campaign donation earlier this week, $ 500 from an unidentified local small business owner.
“It’s a basic campaign. It will mostly just be a social media lightning bolt until we can raise more money and do paid advertising and get more signs and stuff, ”he said. “Right now we have an extremely meager budget, but we hope that will change as soon as the campaign catches fire.”
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