Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has emerged victorious in the Democratic primary against opponent Bernie Tolbert.
The incumbent mayor delivering his victory speech before supporters at the Statler in downtown Buffalo.
"Tonight the voters spoke loud and clear," said Mayor Brown.
With 95% of the vote in, Brown the clear winner with 68% to Tolbert's 32%.
Brown told the crowd he ran his campaign without "one negative ad or one negative piece of literature".
"Sometimes it's in the small victories that tell the real progress in Buffalo," said Mayor Brown.
Brown told supporters they voted to keep Buffalo "growing."
The mayor thanked Governor Andrew Cuomo for his support to the city. He also thanked other lawmakers for their support and noted that Senator Charles Schumer called to congratulate him on his primary victory.
Brown also thanked the voters.
"I'm so grateful for your support, your confidence and vote," said Brown. "I'm humble and proud to be your mayor."
Brown told the crowd he is "more determined than ever" to continue to help move Buffalo forward.
Tolbert, a political newcomer, faced an uphill battle against the well-funded Brown campaign. Shortly after the polls closed, he thanked his supporters.
"I know that it is disappointing not to have won this race. Trust me, this is not the way I envisioned this evening ending," said Tolbert. "While we may not have beaten City Hall tonight, we certainly made that step up and be accountable for the problems of this city and even fix a few during the campaign."
Brown will now face off against Republican Sergio Rodriguez in the November election.
Rodriguez said it's interesting to see only about 20 percent of registered Democrats went to the polls. Rodriguez said it was a historically low turnout.
"So that tells me one thing, the mayor has failed to inspire, has failed to uplift people, to energize people to give people a real reason to go out there and vote for him," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez says he thinks he can win in November and Brown said he is taking the challenge seriously. But Brown is already refusing to debate Rodriguez prior to November.