Rod Watson: A challenge for mayoral voters: Don’t let two-word label become four-letter word By Rod Watson News Urban Affairs Editor Jun 30, 2021 Jun 30, 2021 Updated Mar 18, 2026 WGRZ wisely ran pieces on India Walton and Mayor Byron Brown on its inaugural 9 p.m. newscast. Derek Gee and Harry Scull Jr. / News file photos Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save By Rod Watson News Urban Affairs Editor One down, one to go.kAmqFE x?5:2 (2=E@?’D 3:5 E@ 364@>6 qF772=@’D 7:CDE 76>2=6 >2J@C DE:== 4@F=5 86E F8=J] (:E9 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^3F772=@?6HD]4@>^?6HD^=@42=^8@G6C?>6?E\2?5\A@=:E:4D^A2=25:?@\42==:?8\@?\3FD:?6DD\=6256CD\E@\FC86\3JC@?\3C@H?\HC:E6\:?\42>A2:8?^2CE:4=60376b`46c\5d`3\``63\3a24\f3c_d_5`3555]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<Qmr2C= !2=25:?@k^2m =FC<:?8 :? E96 324<8C@F?5[ 9@H 4@F=5 :E ?@Enk^AmkAm~?6 52J 367@C6 2??@F?4:?8 2 k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^3F772=@?6HD]4@>^?6HD^=@42=^3JC@?\3C@H?\=2F?496D\HC:E6\:?\42>A2:8?\7@C\>2J@C\2D\@E96CD\6J6\E96\C246^2CE:4=60c6cdh244\5gb7\``63\3f43\43hcb6acg2a2]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmHC:E6\:? 3:5 E@ ECJ E@ <66A 9:D ;@3k^2m – 2?5 56DA:E6 9@=5:?8 2 7F?5C2:D6C :? 2 !2=25:?@ 724:=:EJ @? !62C= $EC66E – qJC@? qC@H? 6>A92E:42==J k2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^3F772=@?6HD]4@>^?6HD^=@42=^3JC@?\3C@H?\C6;64ED\A2=25:?@\@G6CEFC6D\@?\A@E6?E:2=\HC:E6\:?\677@CE^2CE:4=60h4df2_hc\5fhh\``63\h62f\43eb2457hd53]9E>=Q E2C86ElQ03=2?<QmC6;64E65 2?J 96=Ak^2m 7C@> E96 4@>>F?:EJ “=6256C” H:E9 E96 7C6:89E EC2:? 7F== @7 C24:DE 3288286] qFE E96C6’D ?@ 8F2C2?E66 E96 72:=65 8F36C?2E@C:2= 42?5:52E6 3@@E65 7C@> E96 qF772=@ $49@@= q@2C5 – H96C6 96 >2=:8?65 q=24< 76>2=6D 2D “E96 D:DE6C9@@5” – H:== =:DE6? E@ qC@H? @C 2?J@?6 6=D6]k^Am People are also reading… Lake Geneva recommends $580,000 bid for street improvements Lake Geneva restaurant owner honored for quick response Lake Geneva BID presents awards during annual meeting Lake Geneva considers speed bumps for slowing down traffic Democratic-backed Chris Taylor wins seat on Supreme Court Riga-Tony’s serves Italian with style, fun and flair Madison man arrested after $3.6M in meth found in vehicle by Illinois State Police Look Ahead: Happy Easter in Lake Geneva! Plus a best-selling author visit & local live music Cole Caufield becomes 2nd former Wisconsin player to score 50 goals in an NHL season In an unprecedented group of Frozen Four goalies, Wisconsin men's hockey's Daniel Hauser stands out Voting in Wisconsin's spring election runs through 8 p.m. today. Here's what you need to know Trump: US Navy will begin Strait of Hormuz blockade after US-Iran ceasefire talks end without agreement Dodge County sheriff sues woman who claims she was illegally detained Lake Geneva receives update on Hillmoor Zone 1 project 4 observations from Wisconsin football's 6th spring practice Read the full story by Robert J. McCarthy here. By Robert J. McCarthy News Political Reporter kAm%96 56G6=@A6C :D D9C6H5 6?@F89 E@ <?@H E92E qC@H? 92D E@ 5:D2G@H 9:>[ 3FE E92E 96 42? DE:== H@C< 9:D E@I:4 3C2?5 @7 42>A2:8? @FEC6249 E@ E9@D6 H9@D6 DFAA@CE E96 >2J@C >2J ?@E H2?E 3FE H9@D6 G@E6D DE:== 4@F?E]k^AmkAmqFE 6G6? 2DDF>:?8 !2=25:?@ 4C2H=D 324< F?56C 9:D C@4<[ (2=E@? 7246D 2? 6G6? 3:886C 492==6?86] s@:?8 9:D 36DE s@?2=5 %CF>A :>:E2E:@?[ qC@H? 2??@F?465 9:D HC:E6\:? 677@CE 3J 3C2?5:?8 96C 2 “C25:42= D@4:2=:DE]”k^Am kAm%96 5:776C6?46 H96? qC@H? D2JD :E :D E92E (2=E@? 42==D 96CD6=7 2 56>@4C2E:4 D@4:2=:DE[ D@ 2E =62DE A2CE @7 E96 E28 :D 244FC2E6]k^Am kAm%96 BF6DE:@? :Di w@H C25:42= :D E92Enk^Am kAmxE H2D?’E C25:42= E@ >:==:@?D @7 p>6C:42?D H9@ DFAA@CE65 q6C?:6 $2?56CD :? EH@ AC6D:56?E:2= 42>A2:8?D 3642FD6 E96J H6C6 E:C65 @7 H2E49:?8 E96 H62=E9 2?5 :?4@>6 82AD 6IA2?5 F?56C A@=:4:6D D<6H65 E@ 96=A 56G6=@A6CD 2?5 @E96C >28?2E6D 2E E96 6IA6?D6 @7 E96 H@C<:?8 4=2DD]k^AmkAm}6G6CE96=6DD[ H96? v2==FA =2DE J62C C6G:6H65 :ED C646?E A@==D 2D H6== 2D E9@D6 7C@> @E96C DFCG6J @C82?:K2E:@?D[ :E 7@F?5 p>6C:42?D’ G:6HD @7 D@4:2=:D> H6C6 2 ?6E ?682E:G6 @G6C E96 J62CD 2?5 E92E E9@D6 F?72G@C23=6 @A:?:@?D H6C6 “BF:E6 DE23=6[” H:E9 A@D:E:G6 G:6HD “H:E9:? 2 ?2CC@H C2?86 @7 bdT E@ bhT 24C@DD E96 ?:?6\J62C DA2?]”k^Am kAmw@H6G6C[ E92E 4@>6D H:E9 2 9F86 42G62E E92E 4@F=5 36 2 724E@C :? qF772=@i %96 A@==DE6C 7@F?5 E92E s6>@4C2ED 92G6 2 >F49 >@C6 72G@C23=6 G:6H @7 D@4:2=:D> E92? #6AF3=:42?D[ H:E9 edT @7 s6>@4C2ED :? :ED >@DE C646?E DFCG6J 9@=5:?8 2 A@D:E:G6 :>AC6DD:@?]k^Am kAm(:E9 s6>@4C2ED 9@=5:?8 2 >@C6 E92? f\` 6?C@==>6?E 25G2?E286 :? qF772=@[ E92E’D 76CE:=6 8C@F?5 7@C (2=E@? – AC@G:565 D96 42? 86E 96C >6DD286 @FE 23@FE H92E 56>@4C2E:4 D@4:2=:D> :D[ 2?5 >@C6 :>A@CE2?E=J H92E :E :D ?@E] w6C 492==6?86 H:== 36 567:?:?8 2 3@EE@>\FA AC@8C2> 7@4FD65 @? 96=A:?8 2G6C286 qF772=@?:2?D :?DE625 @7 =6EE:?8 96CD6=7 36 567:?65 3J qC@H? 2?5 E96 H62=E9J 3FD:?6DD =6256CD H9@ H:== DFAA@CE 9:>]k^Am Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts kAmu@C :?DE2?46[ 96C A=2E7@C> E2=<D 23@FE “4@@A6C2E:G6=J @H?65 3FD:?6DD6D[ 8C66? ;@3D 2?5 56>@4C2E:4 4@?EC@= @7 =2?5 :?DE625 @7 EC:4<=6\5@H? A@=:4:6D 2?5 DF3D:5:6D E92E 92G6 :?4C62D65 :?4@>6 :?6BF2=:EJ]” xE’D 2 A6@A=6\46?E6C65 2AAC@249 7@4FD65 @? :DDF6D =:<6 962=E9 42C6[ ?6:893@C9@@5 C6D:56?ED’ :?AFE :?E@ :DDF6D E92E 27764E E96> 2?5 >62?:?87F= 4:E:K6? @G6CD:89E @7 A@=:46]k^Am kAmqFE :E H:== 36 2 492==6?86 @G6C4@>:?8 %' 25D 2?5 3FD:?6DD >@FE9A:646D H9@ H:== ECJ E@ 5:DE@CE DF49 2 7@4FD :?E@ 2 =@42=:K65 G6CD:@? @7 E96 #65 $42C6]k^AmkAmqFE :E H@?’E 36 ;FDE 2 E6DE @7 (2=E@? 2?5 96C 42>A2:8?j :E 2=D@ H:== 36 2 E6DE @7 E96 6=64E@C2E6 2?5 :ED 23:=:EJ E@ D66 E9C@F89 E96 :?6G:E23=6 D>62C 42>A2:8? E92E H:== 5@>:?2E6 E96 2:CH2G6D 2?5 D@4:2= >65:2 E@ ECJ E@ EFC? 2 EH@\H@C5 =236= :?E@ 2 7@FC\=6EE6C H@C5] xE H:== 36 2 E6DE @7 G@E6CD’ 23:=:EJ E@ C6D:DE E96 !2G=@G:2? C624E:@? p>6C:42?D 92G6 366? EC2:?65 E@ 8:G6 6G6CJ E:>6 E96J 962C E96 E6C>]k^Am kAm(2=E@?’D 324<6CD 2C6 4@F?E:?8 @? 2 8C2DDC@@ED 42>A2:8? E@ 4@F?E6C E96 3:8\>@?6J 677@CE E92E ?@ 5@F3E H:== 36 H2865 E@ ECJ E@ C6\6=64E qC@H?] #@36CE v2=3C2:E9[ 2 >6>36C @7 ~FC r:EJ p4E:@? qF772=@[ D2:5 E96C6’D ?@ H2J @C82?:K2E:@?D =:<6 9:D 42? 4@>A6E6 7:?2?4:2==J “H:E9 D@>6 @7 E96 H62=E9:6DE A6@A=6 :? qF772=@ H9@ 92G6 ;F>A65 :?” @? qC@H?’D 3692=7]k^Am kAmqFE 96 A@:?E65 E@ E96 s6>@4C2E:4 AC:>2CJ C6DF=ED[ :? H9:49 (2=E@? <?@4<65 qC@H? @77 E96 32==@E[ E@ D2J E92E “@C82?:K65 A6@A=6 42? 362E @C82?:K65 >@?6J]”k^Am kAm$E:==[ :E’D 2 5:776C6?E 32==82>6 5@:?8 :E :? 2 86?6C2= 6=64E:@?[ H:E9 =6DD EF?65\:? G@E6CD H9@ 2C6 >@C6 DFD46AE:3=6 E@ 3@E9 ?682E:G6 25G6CE:D:?8 2?5 ?2>6 C64@8?:E:@?]k^Am kAm}@C D9@F=5 2?J@?6 2DDF>6 E92E E96 5:77:4F=EJ @7 H28:?8 2 HC:E6\:? 42>A2:8? >2<6D E92E E2D< :>A@DD:3=6] %96C6 92G6 366? 6?@F89 6I2>A=6D :? &]$] 9:DE@CJ E@ F?56CD4@C6 E96 G:23:=:EJ @7 qC@H?’D 677@CE]k^AmkAmx? `hdc[ $EC@> %9FC>@?5 – E96 $@FE9 r2C@=:?2 D68C682E:@?:DE H:E9 E96 D64C6E 3:C24:2= 52F89E6C – 3642>6 E96 7:CDE A6CD@? E@ 6G6C H:? 2 &]$] $6?2E6 D62E 2D 2 HC:E6\:? 42?5:52E6] %96 =2E6 s6>@4C2E r92C=:6 (:=D@? H@? 9:D ~9:@ w@FD6 D62E H:E9 2 HC:E6\:? 42>A2:8? :? a__e] s6EC@:E |2J@C |:<6 sF882? H@? E96 a_`b s6>@4C2E:4 AC:>2CJ H:E9 2 HC:E6\:? 677@CE] p?5 :? A6C92AD E96 36DE\<?@H? 6I2>A=6[ :?56A6?56?E\>:?565 p=2D<2? {:D2 |FC<@HD<: C6E2:?65 96C &]$] $6?2E6 D62E :? a_`_ H:E9 2 HC:E6\:? 677@CE 27E6C =@D:?8 E96 v~! AC:>2CJ]k^Am kAmx? @E96C H@C5D[ AC:>2CJ 52J H2D ;FDE E96 368:??:?8[ ?@E E96 6?5 @7 E9:D >2J@C2= 42>A2:8?]k^AmkAmu@C E9@D6 H9@ 36=:6G6 :? :?DE2?E <2C>2[ qC@H?’D 56762E H2D E96 A6C764E AF?:D9>6?E 7@C E96 =24< @7 C6DA64E 96 D9@H65 3@E9 G@E6CD 2?5 E96 56>@4C2E:4 AC@46DD 3J C67FD:?8 E@ 5632E6 (2=E@?]k^AmkAmqFE 96 5@6D 92G6 2 C64@C5 E@ CF? @?[ :?4=F5:?8 36:?8 2E E96 96=> 7@C E96 56G6=@A>6?E @7 E96 H2E6C7C@?E 2?5 E96 >65:42= 42>AFD 2?5 C6EFC?:?8 42CD E@ |2:? $EC66E] w6 2=D@ H:== >2<6 >F49 @7 E96 ?FCD6 2?5 4@>>F?:EJ @C82?:K6C’D =24< @7 8@G6C?>6?E 6IA6C:6?46 – 2 =68:E:>2E6 :DDF6[ 3FE @?6 E92E 42? 4FE 3@E9 H2JD[ 8:G6? E96 ?F>36C @7 A6@A=6 H9@ H@?56C H92E 8@G6C?>6?E 92D 5@?6 7@C E96> =2E6=J]k^Am kAm}@H[ 96’== AC@323=J 4=2>@C 7@C 5632E6D] %9@D6 7@CF>D[ A=FD E96 4@>:?8 25 H2C 2?5 E96 >65:2 2EE6?E:@? (2=E@?’D FAD6E :D 82C?6C:?8[ H:== 6?DFC6 E92E E96 >2J@C’D C64@C5 2?5 (2=E@?’D A=2E7@C> 3@E9 86E D4CFE:?J]k^AmkAmqFE E9@D6 H@?’E 36 E96 @?=J E9:?8D G@E6CD H:== 962C] %96 BF6DE:@? :D H96E96C E96J H:== 36 D@A9:DE:42E65 6?@F89 E@ <?@H E92E J@F 42?’E ;F586 2 3@@< 3J E96 4@G6C D@>63@5J 6=D6 EC:6D E@ D=2A @? :E]k^Am Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Analysis: A mayoral contest for the Buffalo ages Watch for the matchup between India Walton and Mayor Byron Brown to consume the region, Bob McCarthy says. Brown launches lonely campaign as most Dems abandon him Brown, four-term leader of New York's second largest city and former chairman of the Democratic State Committee, must soldier on without Buffa… Casting write-in votes is easy; counting them may not be There are several wrong ways to cast a write-in vote, some of which still count and some of which don't count. Rod Watson: On her way out, student rep has lessons for Buffalo School Board Her most important accomplishment may be in having the courage to shine a spotlight on the role of the School Board's student representative. Rod Watson: Money talks – and says campaign funding is about more than ideology "All of which brings to mind the aphorism that whoever pays the piper calls the tune. It has never been more true than in a campaign finance s… Election 2021: Buffalo mayor Early voting begins Oct. 23, and Election Day is Nov. 2. Buffalo voters will either write down Byron Brown's name and vote him in for an unpre… India Walton's win could inspire more outsiders to challenge incumbents Observers saw Walton's win as yet another signal that a dynamic candidate can knock off a complacent incumbent anytime, anywhere. Byron Brown launches write-in campaign for mayor as others eye the race A new and fiery Byron W. Brown sought to revive his failed mayoral campaign Monday with a whole new persona, and former County Executive Joel … Byron Brown rejects Paladino overtures on potential write-in effort "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 Ca… Parties, progressive groups to counter any business-backed write-in for Brown Following a push by Buffalo's business community to urge Mayor Byron W. Brown to wage a write-in campaign for November's general election, sup… Byron Brown, seeking a fifth mayoral term in Buffalo, is not taking the campaign bait This is how Brown is conducting his fifth campaign for mayor of New York's second largest city: low key and confidently. How India Walton would revamp policing in Buffalo On her campaign website, Walton lists 14 short-, medium- and long-term goals under the heading "public safety." India Walton: Elected officials, 'you are being put on notice' “If there wasn’t a challenge, I would be disappointed,” said Council President Darius G. Pridgen. Watch Now: Related Video Unable to play video AP Top Stories April 13 AP top stories April 12 AP top stories April 12 US, Iran hold separate talks with Pakistan's PM ahead of negotiations US, Iran hold separate talks with Pakistan's PM ahead of negotiations WisEye Morning Minute: Senate Committee hearing with UW Regents WisEye Morning Minute: Senate Committee hearing with UW Regents
Analysis: A mayoral contest for the Buffalo ages Watch for the matchup between India Walton and Mayor Byron Brown to consume the region, Bob McCarthy says.
Brown launches lonely campaign as most Dems abandon him Brown, four-term leader of New York's second largest city and former chairman of the Democratic State Committee, must soldier on without Buffa…
Casting write-in votes is easy; counting them may not be There are several wrong ways to cast a write-in vote, some of which still count and some of which don't count.
Rod Watson: On her way out, student rep has lessons for Buffalo School Board Her most important accomplishment may be in having the courage to shine a spotlight on the role of the School Board's student representative.
Rod Watson: Money talks – and says campaign funding is about more than ideology "All of which brings to mind the aphorism that whoever pays the piper calls the tune. It has never been more true than in a campaign finance s…
Election 2021: Buffalo mayor Early voting begins Oct. 23, and Election Day is Nov. 2. Buffalo voters will either write down Byron Brown's name and vote him in for an unpre…
India Walton's win could inspire more outsiders to challenge incumbents Observers saw Walton's win as yet another signal that a dynamic candidate can knock off a complacent incumbent anytime, anywhere.
Byron Brown launches write-in campaign for mayor as others eye the race A new and fiery Byron W. Brown sought to revive his failed mayoral campaign Monday with a whole new persona, and former County Executive Joel …
Byron Brown rejects Paladino overtures on potential write-in effort "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 Ca…
Parties, progressive groups to counter any business-backed write-in for Brown Following a push by Buffalo's business community to urge Mayor Byron W. Brown to wage a write-in campaign for November's general election, sup…
Byron Brown, seeking a fifth mayoral term in Buffalo, is not taking the campaign bait This is how Brown is conducting his fifth campaign for mayor of New York's second largest city: low key and confidently.
How India Walton would revamp policing in Buffalo On her campaign website, Walton lists 14 short-, medium- and long-term goals under the heading "public safety."
India Walton: Elected officials, 'you are being put on notice' “If there wasn’t a challenge, I would be disappointed,” said Council President Darius G. Pridgen.