Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is talking about his late decision to endorse Erie County Executive-Elect Mark Poloncarz. Speaking to WBFO Thursday, he acknowledged his warm working relationship with the current county executive, Chris Collins, and responded to the question why he'd choose his bitter election rival.
"I did have a very good working relationship with Chris Collins," said Brown. "I think he did a good job for the people of Erie County, but people elect government representatives to work for them, to make a difference for them. I'm going to work just as hard with Mark Poloncarz as I can, just as completely as I can, because the people of this community expect nothing less."
There is also the timing of Brown's endorsement of Polonbcarz. It didn't come until the Friday before Election Day, when a Poloncarz rally brought powerful Democrats to town including Governor Andrew Cuomo and Senator Charles Schumer. Brown told WBFO a late endorsement is often what a campaign needs to push a candidate ahead to victory. After weeks of staying on the sidelines, Brown suddenly became quite active in the Poloncarz campaign.
"I was very pleased after that to make phone calls to every Democratic voter, to organize volunteers to go out and distribute literature for Mark Poloncarz," Brown said.
There was no indication, however, how Brown and Collins will work together in the latter's final two months in office. Brown looked forward, however, to the transition in the Rath Building.
