Coming off a Buffalo mayoral race, where one candidate had well over a million dollars to spend and the other had a few thousand, supporters of public financing of city elections are pushing for action. A news conference was held Wednesday on the steps of City Hall to push public financing, held just across from Statler City, home of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown's victory celebration and his well-marked campaign headquarters.
Many speakers said they supported a system similar to that in New York City where there is a match to gifts, a contributor puts up a dollar and there is a match of public funding.
North District Common Council member Joe Golombek said raising campaign dollars is difficult.
"Try to raise it. I had a race the last time around. My opponent who I've gotten to be friendly with said they were hoping that they'd be able to raise $25,000 and they raised $2,000. If there is a race in a democracy, both candidates should have some money so that they can get their message out," Golombek said.
"Just like in this last race for mayor. I was a supporter of Mayor Brown's but I think Sergio should have had the opportunity to get his message out."
Golombek said he wants an information process aimed to starting public financing. The council member says he isn't locked into the details of a program but wants a public discussion.
