Kearns may challenge Brown for mayor
If Buffalo has a full-fledged campaign for mayor this year, all indications point to a Democratic primary contest between two Democrats: Byron W. Brown, the incumbent, and Michael P. Kearns, a first-term Council member representing the South District.
Brown, seeking his second term, already has raised more than $700,000, polished his re-election resume and is beginning to fire up a seasoned political organization.
Kearns has yet to formally commit to a campaign. But he is receiving encouragement from influential backers and says he can raise sufficient money to present a strong alternative.
In a city where mayoral politics traditionally spawns rollicking elections, few predict such an affair this year — at least at this early point.
If he does decide to challenge Brown, Kearns admits being the underdog. He also acknowledges he must “make the case” to replace an incumbent who has avoided major controversy even if some critics consider him lackluster.
But Kearns, a 39-year-old former fundraising consultant who counts the late Mayor James D. Griffin among his political heroes, says he is “seriously considering” challenging Brown, 50. He recites a litany of revitalization programs he claims could be improved and says he offers a more energized leadership.
While he has not been a direct combatant in Brown’s myriad political wars, Kearns recognizes that many Democrats — including the party organization — are sufficiently alienated by Brown’s administration and might join his cause.
“We have the third-poorest city in the country, and the first thing they want to do is play politics,” Kearns said. “I have a lot of respect for Mayor Brown. He’s a tremendous worker, and they are formidable opponents. But I keep hearing that this is ‘not what I signed up for.’ ”
The race has not attracted any other serious contenders — including Republicans — and the business community has given indications of trying to recruit a candidate, as it had done in past years.
Both cite accomplishments
Kearns says his three-year tenure on the Council paves the way for a greater role. He opposed the Route 5 modification now under way and preservation of the Skyway, describing them as signs of his commitment to smart waterfront development.
He also has called for something other than the “hotel fiasco” the city has proposed for Erie Basin Marina.
Like the mayor, he claims credit for the Hickory Woods contamination settlement and for such neighborhood projects as preserving the Cazenovia Park Library.
He advocates a housing plan that goes beyond demolition and says he’s interested only in becoming mayor and nothing else.
“I think our city needs a leader more concerned about Buffalo’s future more than their own future,” Kearns said.
Brown, meanwhile, says he has plenty of accomplishments to highlight. He cites statistics pointing to progress in everything from decreasing homicides to upgrading credit ratings. After awarding himself an “A” grade at the midpoint of his term last January, Brown hasn’t retreated in his own performance assessment.
“I think we’ve done an excellent job for the citizens of the City of Buffalo,” he said in a City Hall interview.
Brown contemplates a re-election campaign revolving around the positive. He will tout his CitiStat program that makes city operations statistically accountable, a housing demolition program and enhanced youth employment programs.
He also cites new technology and policies in the police and fire departments that dramatically reduced arson, and neighborhood surveillance cameras that help in fighting crime.
His re-election message will focus on the need to build on such accomplishments.
“We have a lot of momentum and that momentum needs to continue,” Brown said. “Having continuity, a steady hand, experience and creative management is very important.”
Golisano might play role
Former Mayor Anthony M. Masiello, never a close political ally of his successor, said anyone challenging Brown faces the difficult task of “making the case.” Politically, he sees nobody with the financial or organizational strength to dislodge a powerful incumbent.
And from a policy perspective, Masiello said he sees no slip-ups serious enough to aid an opponent.
“I don’t see anybody who can challenge the mayor right now, with all due respect to Mickey Kearns,” Masiello said. “No one has the political machinery or the financial means to run a credible campaign. And that’s a credit to the mayor.”
In addition to his own campaign funds, Brown is expected to enjoy another major financial benefit — the vast resources of the Responsible New York fund controlled by Buffalo Sabres owner B. Thomas Golisano.
Last year, Golisano dropped more than $4 million on State Senate candidates throughout the state and has said the elections involving Brown and New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg may capture his interest this year. That support comes from a revived political partnership between the mayor and G. Steven Pigeon, the former Erie County Democratic chairman who now serves as Golisano’s political point man. After several years of estrangement, Pigeon has re-entered Brown’s political sphere as a key adviser.
Though Golisano’s political involvement has stirred plenty of controversy, Brown said he would welcome the Rochester businessman’s assistance.
“I think he certainly has been a very positive influence in this community,” Brown said of Golisano.
He also maintains strong political relationships in Albany, where a Tuesday night fundraiser attracted several major state Democrats.
But Kearns may have some money people of his own. Developer Carl P. Paladino, a longtime Brown foe, says he has spoken with Kearns. After helping to raise a good portion of funds for Kevin J. Helfer’s Republican mayoral campaign in 2005, Paladino could take on the same role this year.
“All he’s got on his mind is going to another office,” Paladino said of Brown.
Politics and the mayor’s exercise of it generate most opposition he encounters.
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, a major Brown foe, came up against Golisano’s spending power during a rough primary campaign last fall. Hoyt says most of the mayor’s efforts to influence races for Common Council, County Legislature and the Democratic County Committee have proven unsuccessful while exposing his political nature.
“He is behind most primaries against incumbent, endorsed Democratic candidates,” Hoyt said, pointing to a major source of the rift between Brown and Leonard
R. Lenihan, chairman of the Erie County Democratic Party. “The mayor has been a divider and not a uniter.”
Brown touts independence
Though some say Brown will fare well without party help, the split with headquarters could provide Kearns the political base he needs. Lenihan calls his relationship with the mayor a “disappointment,” characterizes him as “hostile” toward the party and puts him squarely behind last year’s effort to replace him as party chairman.
“We don’t go and openly promote people to run against incumbent Democrats,” Lenihan said. “Byron has done that.
“I frankly have a better relationship with Jim Domagalski — the Republican chairman — than I do with Byron Brown,” he added.
Brown proudly points to his independence from the party over many years, pointing to support of such Democrats as Andrew M. Cuomo for attorney general, Antoine M. Thompson for State Senate, and Frank A. Sedita III for district attorney that pitted him against local party leaders — and which he won.
Will Brown ask for the party endorsement this spring? “I have to cross that bridge when I come to it,” he said.
Aides to the mayor point out that the opposition of Lenihan and Hoyt does not automatically translate into widespread problems within the party. They expect solid support from the mayor’s African-American base, which makes up the largest voting bloc in a Democratic primary.
Even Kearns’ South Buffalo turf should prove strong for Brown, they say, with enthusiastic support from the area’s major political figures: Rep. Brian Higgins, Assemblyman Mark J. F. Schroeder, County Legislator Timothy M. Kennedy and others.
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