Gaughan Challenges Brown to Debate

With the field for the Democratic primary for Buffalo mayor down to two, the person behind in the polls is challenging the front-runner to a one-on-one debate.

Friday afternoon, Kevin Gaughan challenged Senator Byron Brown to discuss the issues facing Buffalo in a debate on Sunday night. However, a spokesperson for Brown's camp, Steve Casey, says Brown will not be doing anymore debates before the primary.

Gaughan's campaign manager says the First Amendment Club, a community organization based in Black Rock, has sent invitations to both candidates to debate that night. There's no word on whether Brown will accept the invitation.

On Thursday, restauranteur Steve Calvaneso ended his bid for the city's highest office, five days before the primary.

In a news conference outside his Ya Ya Bayou Brewhouse restaurant on Main Street, Calvaneso said he hopes Buffalo residents will choose a reform candidate. "I want Buffalonians to have a clear choice between reform and the status quo," says Calvaneso. "I hope they make the right choice so that we may all see a brighter future for Buffalo."

Calvaneso says he felt a reform candidate has a better chance of winning with fewer of them in the race. He says he will endorse one of his former opponents next week. It's expected he will endorse Gaughan.