2005 Buffalo mayoral election

none January 2025 September 2023 2005 Buffalo mayoral election Flag of Buffalo, New York.svg presidential no 2001 2005 11 08 2009 24.97% File:20081021 Byron Brown headshot.jpg Byron Brown Democratic Party (United States) Working Families Party 46,613 63.79% 3x4.svg Kevin J. Helfer Republican Party (United States) Conservative Party of New York 19,853 27.17% 2005 Buffalo mayoral election results map by city council district.svg 200px Results by city council districtBrown: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% #3933E5 80–90% Mayor Anthony Masiello Byron Brown The 2005 Buffalo Mayoral Election took place on November 8, 2005. After incumbent Anthony M. Masiello, a Democrat, announced on April 29, 2005, that he would not seek a fourth term as mayor,http://news.wbfo.org/post/mayor-masiello-declines-seek-re-election Mayor Masiello Declines to Seek Re-Election Kryszak Joyce April 29, 2005 WBFO News July 14, 2013July 2017 InternetArchiveBot yes a field of several Democratic candidates emerged, from which New York State Senator Byron Brown emerged victorious in the primary election. In the general election, Brown went on to defeat Republican challenger Kevin Helfer, former member of the Buffalo Common Council for the University District, as well as two minor-party candidates. Buffalo's 2005 mayoral election is notable as the first in the city to be won by an African-American candidate. Nominations Democratic primary Candidates In addition to Brown, candidates for the Democratic nomination for Mayor in 2005 included Brown's predecessor as State Senator for the 57th District, Al Coppola, attorney and government reform advocate Kevin Gaughan, restaurateur Steven Calvaneso, neighborhood activist and perennial candidate Judith Einach, and Erie County Democratic Committee member Darnell Jackson. Coppola dropped out of the race early, while the latter two hopefuls were removed from the ballot in August 2005 by the Erie County Board of Elections due to petition irregularities,http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22797264.html https://web.archive.org/web/20160313055523/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22797264.html usurped March 13, 2016 Einach taken off ballot for primary McCarthy Robert J. August 5, 2005 Buffalo News HighBeam Research subscription Buffalo, NY July 14, 2013 leading to a three-way contest between Brown, Gaughan and Calvaneso for the Democratic nomination. Results The Democratic primary election was held on September 13, 2005. Brown placed first in the polls with 16,900 votes cast, or 60.6% of the total, winning the Democratic nomination. In second place was Gaughan with 9,264 votes (34.5%), and Calvaneso placed third with 1,362 votes (4.9%).http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=233511 Our Campaigns - Buffalo NY Mayor - D Primary Race - Sep 13, 2005 Our Campaigns July 14, 2013 Democratic primary results2005 Democratic Municipal Primary https://elections.erie.gov/Files/Election%20Results/2005/2005-Primary-Democrat.pdf Byron W. Brown Democratic Party (United States) 16,900 60.60% Kevin P. Gaughan Democratic Party (United States) 9,624 34.51% Steven A. Calvaneso Democratic Party (United States) 1,362 4.88% 27,886 100% Conservative primary Candidates Despite the fact that Brown was cross-endorsed by the Erie County Conservative Party under the terms of New York State's electoral fusion law, Republican candidate Kevin Helfer mounted an unprecedented write-in campaignhttp://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22817345.html https://archive.today/20130717080517/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22817345.html usurped July 17, 2013 Lack of momentum in mid-campaign proves insurmountable for Helfer Lakamp Patrick November 9, 2005 Buffalo News HighBeam Research subscription July 14, 2013 in the Conservative primary election on September 13, 2005, that was described as "crucial" for his hopes to win the general election. Results The Conservative primary was held on September 13, 2005. Helfer won the election handily, earning 190 votes (65.1%) to Brown's 95 (32.5%). Gaughan also earned 7 write-in votes (2.4%).http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=265036 Our Campaigns - Buffalo NY Mayor - C Primary Race - Sep 13, 2005 Our Campaigns September 15, 2013 Conservative primary results2005 Conservative Municipal Primary https://elections.erie.gov/Files/Election%20Results/2005/2005-Primary-Conservative.pdf Kevin J. Helfer (write-in) Conservative Party of New York 190 65.07% Byron W. Brown Conservative Party of New York 95 32.53% Kevin P. Gaughan (write-in) Conservative Party of New York 7 2.40% 292 100% Independence Party primary Candidates Despite the fact that the Erie County Independence Party officially endorsed Brown for mayor, there were two candidates from that party who also sought the nomination: Louis P. Corrigan, the Secretary of the Erie County Independence Party, and former local party chairman Charles J. Flynn. Corrigan was ruled ineligible for the ballot by the Erie County Board of Elections due to petition challenges,Corrigan loses in first round of petition fights McCarthy Robert J. August 2, 2005 Buffalo News while Flynn's petitions withstood a similar legal challenge.Flynn's petitions ruled valid Gryta Matt August 9, 2005 Buffalo News Results The Independence Party primary was held on September 13. Flynn placed first with 135 votes (45.2%); Brown took second place with 128 (42.8%). Also, Helfer earned 32 write-in votes (10.7%), and Gaughan won four (1.3%). http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=267017 Our Campaigns - Buffalo NY Mayor - IDP Primary Race - Sep 13, 2005 Our Campaigns September 15, 2013 Independence primary results2005 Independence Municipal Primary https://elections.erie.gov/Files/Election%20Results/2005/2005-Primary-Independence.pdf Charles J. Flynn Independence Party of New York 135 45.15% Byron W. Brown Independence Party of New York 128 42.81% Kevin J. Helfer (write-in) Independence Party of New York 32 10.70% Kevin P. Gaughan (write-in) Independence Party of New York 4 1.34% 299 100% Other candidates Helfer was unopposed for the Republican nomination. Despite the petition irregularities which kept her off the ballot in the Democratic primary, Judith Einach was able to secure the nomination of the Green Party and contest the general election. General election Endorsements In addition to the Erie County Democratic Committee, Brown received the endorsement of the Erie County Working Families Party. Brown was also endorsed by both of New York's United States Senators, Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, as well as New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, and New York State Assemblyman and future Congressman Brian Higgins.https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/13/nyregion/13buffalo.html Race Plays Silent Role in Campaign for Mayor of Buffalo Hicks Jonathan P. October 12, 2005 New York Times July 15, 2013 Helfer was endorsed by the Erie County Republican Party as well as the Buffalo Niagara Partnership,http://www.buffalorising.com/2005/10/breaking-the-partnership-endorses-kevin-helfer/ BREAKING: The Partnership Endorses Kevin Helfer October 26, 2005 Buffalo Rising July 15, 2013 the Buffalo News,Brown offers much, but vision and new directions are required of next mayor October 30, 2005 Buffalo News and local businessman and future gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino. Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error ByronBrown (D) KevinHelfer (R) Other UndecidedSurveyUSASurveyUSA November 4–6, 2005 573 (LV) ± 4.1% 61% 30% 7% 2%SurveyUSASurveyUSA October 21–23, 2005 564 (LV) ± 4.1% 59% 28% 10% 3%SurveyUSASurveyUSA September 27–29, 2005 547 (LV) ± 4.3% 55% 33% 8% 4% Results The general election was held on November 8, 2005. Brown placed first with 46,613 votes cast, or 63.8% of the total. Helfer placed second with 19,853 votes (27.2%). In third place was Einach, with 3,525 votes (4.8%), and in fourth was Flynn with 3,082 votes (4.2%).http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=263628 Our Campaigns - Buffalo NY Mayor Race - Nov 08, 2005 Our Campaigns July 14, 2013 General election results2005 Erie County Election https://elections.erie.gov/Files/Election%20Results/2005/2005-General.pdf Byron W. Brown Democratic Party (United States) 43,541 59.59% Byron W. Brown Working Families Party 3,072 4.20% Byron W. Brown Total 46,613 63.79% Kevin J Helfer Republican Party (US) 17,680 24.19% Kevin J Helfer Conservative Party of New York 2,173 2.97% Kevin J Helfer Total 19,853 27.17% Judith S. Einach Green Party of New York 3,525 4.82% Charles J. Flynn Independence Party of New York 3,082 4.22% 73,073 100% Notes References https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/04/nyregion/metrocampaigns/04buffalo.html All Eyes on a Black Candidate in Buffalo's Mayoral Race Hicks Jonathan P. June 4, 2005 New York Times July 14, 2013 Developer stands out among group of advisers assembled by Helfer McCarthy Robert J. October 9, 2005 Buffalo News Category:2005 New York (state) elections Buffalo Category:November 2005 in the United States Category:Mayoral elections in Buffalo, New York Category:2000s in Buffalo, New York