It’s a sure bet that after the Walton effort, no incumbent around here will ever take another newcomer for granted.
• From his perch as mayo, Brown will soon watch the 2022 field of governor wannabes assemble. The former state Democratic chairman won’t have to consider supporting New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams; he cast his lot with Walton. Incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, meanwhile, remained mum during her hometown’s mayoral election, though her state chairman – Jay Jacobs – denounced the very idea of a socialist running for mayor of Buffalo.
Then there’s Congressman Tom Suozzi of Nassau County, who not only campaigned for Brown last month, but issued an Election Night statement praising the mayor’s re-election. Suozzi, avoiding the party’s leftward drift, called the mayor’s victory ”a clear triumph of core Democratic values over the far left socialist agenda.”
• Walton scored a major coup by gaining the endorsements of New York’s senators, Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. While Walton struggled to downplay some aspects of her past, the nod from the statewide luminaries helped establish credibility. But one high-placed source within the successful Brown camp notes their moves were not appreciated and will never be forgotten. Hardball politics all around.
• Brown’s relations with Erie County Dems will also prove interesting. Chairman Jeremy Zellner began the campaign with a half-hearted endorsement for Brown, backed Walton after her primary victory, questioned that after revelations about her past, and then supported her again while maintaining that electing Kim Beaty sheriff was his main priority. Now Beaty has apparently lost.
