First Democratic mayoral candidate debate airs live from D'Youville, hosted by WIVB

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – WIVB Channel 4 presented one of the first televised debates for Buffalo mayor Tuesday night in front of a live audience at D'Youville University.

The event, hosted by anchors Marlee Tuskes and David Greber, lasted an hour. All five Democratic candidates for mayor — including Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon, State Sen. Sean Ryan, Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt, former Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield, and Buffalo native Anthony Tyson-Thompson — were in attendance. The debate aired live on Channel 4 WIVB-TV and streamed on wivb.com.

The first question addressed the candidates' plans to balance the city budget, which was approved by the Buffalo Common Council in May. At issue is a multimillion-dollar deficit.

The primary will take place Tuesday, June 24.