Politics Now

By Robert J. McCarthy

Ask Buffalo Comptroller Mark J.F. Schroeder about running for mayor in 2013 and he'll provide his standard non-answer.

"I've said all along, I have no plans to run for mayor," he said again this week.

Indeed, the comptroller has not discussed even with friends the possibility of challenging Mayor Byron W. Brown and possibly Bernard Tolbert, the former Buffalo FBI chief who has formed a fund-raising committee. And Schroeder has not even hinted at efforts to raise the hundreds of thousands of dollars needed for a serious shot at City Hall.

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By Robert J. McCarthy

It didn't take long on Tuesday for one participant in the Buffalo mayoral race to acknowledge the expected candidacy of Democrat Bernard Tolbert after sources indicated the former head of the Buffalo FBI would form a campaign finance committee.

And for announced Republican candidate Sergio Rodriguez, it was all about even having a race for mayor in 2013. As far as he was concerned Tuesday, at least there will be a contest against Democratic incumbent Byron W. Brown, whom some thought might go unchallenged this year in his bid for a third term.

“We welcome the entry of a new candidate into the race and are pleased to see democracy in action," Rodriguez said. "For the first time in nearly a decade, voters will be given a choice in the general election regardless of the outcome in the primary."

By Robert J. McCarthy

Bernard Tolbert, the former chief of the Buffalo FBI who is weighing a bid for mayor this year, has received lots of unsolicited advice in past weeks.

Some friends are telling him he has waited too long to declare his candidacy. Others say he is right to "keep everyone guessing" as he continues exploring a Democratic primary race against two-term incumbent Byron W. Brown -- who officially announces on Saturday.

But Tolbert is still not offering any hints, even as he attends a host of citywide events like last Friday's St. Patrick's luncheon at the Buffalo Irish Center and the 60th annual dinner of the National Federation of Just Communities Wednesday night at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.

Continue reading "Tolbert's delay in declaring mayoral candidacy has roots in history " »

By Robert J. McCarthy

Bernie Tolbert, the potential primary challenger to Democratic incumbent in this year's mayoral election, is proving adept at one aspect of politics - testing the waters.

Tolbert, the former head of the FBI's Buffalo office, said Monday he remains interested in running this year, but has made no decision and continues to make the rounds throughout Buffalo to listen and learn.

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