BUFFALO (WBEN) - Exactly 24 hours after Mayor Byron Brown announced a write-in campaign for the November General Election, India Walton and dozens of her campaign volunteers and supporters gathered in Niagara Square for a rally of their own.
"This write-in is a distraction," Walton said. "It is dragging our city to the dark side of politics, but we are and will continue to be the light. We will stay grounded and remain on the high road, centered on people and rooted in love."
On Monday, Brown said people are fearful of Walton's policies because she's a Democratic Socialist, an issue that will no doubt be a major talking point over the next several months.
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"I have also heard from voters that there is tremendous fear that has spread across this community," said Brown. "People are fearful about the future of our city; they are fearful about the future of their families; they are fearful about the future of their children, and they have said to me that they do not want a radical socialist occupying the mayor's office in Buffalo City Hall."
Walton called Brown's attack a dog whistle, and she again responded to the comment Tuesday.
"My policies echo those of people like FDR and MLK," she began. "That prioritize working class and poor people, women, and people of color...and to some people, that is scary."
Brown received criticism for not debating Walton prior to last Tuesday's Democratic Primary, but he said he's now ready to debate 'his opponent' any time anywhere.
Walton was asked if she'd be willing to debate Brown ahead of the November 2 election, and she responded, "Absolutely - any time, anywhere."
"We have a strong and thoughtful platform that was put together by members of the community who spoke about what they want," she continued. "We're still in the process of refining that now that we have a clear pathway into the office of the mayor - we're going to go back into the community and work with organizations and neighborhoods to see what it is that they want, but I believe that the mayor should answer for what he believes he's actually accomplished over the last 15 years."
While Brown said thousands of people have contacted him to continue on with his campaign, Walton explained that she's received a lot of support as well - claiming her campaign received $40,000 Monday from over 600 various donors.