Three Buffalo mayoral candidates—State Sen. Sean Ryan (Democratic and Working Families), James Gardner (Republican and Conservative), and Michael Gainer (Independent, Restore Buffalo) exchanged verbal blows Thursday at a student-hosted debate at St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute. The forum addressed top issues, including crime, budget deficits, housing affordability, and public trust in city government.

The event began with a prayer, the national anthem, and introductions by AP Government students, who also organized and posed all the questions. Moderated by veteran social studies teacher Ted Lina, hundreds of students and faculty attended the event, which was the only public debate of the 2025 Buffalo mayoral election.

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Leadership and One-Party Rule

The candidates began by discussing Buffalo’s long history of one-party rule. Gardner associated economic decline, poverty, and population loss with continued Democratic control.

“We’ve had 60 years of the same,” he said. “We were once among the wealthiest cities in America. Now we’re the third poorest. If we don’t change the way we vote, how can we expect anything to be different?

Ryan defended his party’s record and referred to his Albany legislative experience.

“It’s up to the people of the city to decide who they want to lead,” he said. “My experience and connections on the state level position me to further Buffalo’s best.”

Gainer, an enrolled independent, called for setting aside partisan divisions.

This is not a Democrat vs. Republican decision,” he stated. “It’s coming together and spreading out power.”

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Justice and Public Safety

The most contentious topics were bail reform and public safety. Ryan was an advocate of New York’s 2019 bail reform law, citing its role in preventing pretrial detention for those who cannot afford bail. Gardner lamented that the policy undermines public safety and increases crime. Gainer acknowledged the intent of the reforms but called for greater judicial discretion. These positions reflect each candidate’s vision for balancing justice and safety.

“Society must not criminalize poverty,” Ryan said. “Before reform, teenagers spent days in jail for $100 bonds. That’s not justice.”

The reforms were criticized by Gardner as a “failure of leadership” that compromised safety. Gainer supported judicial discretion and advocated for increased use of social service responders to handle cases of mental health and addiction.

On federal intervention, Gardner supported the readiness to accept National Guard reinforcements to support local policing. Ryan opposed it as “pure political theater.” Gainer opposed partisan finger-pointing and emphasized youth mentorship and opportunity as prevention measures for violence.

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Housing and Affordability

The three candidates all acknowledged Buffalo’s housing crisis but proposed different solutions.
Ryan introduced a three-prong approach: retaining tenants in place, rehabilitating empty homes with grants of up to $75,000, and building affordable units for middle-income households. Gardner called for a shift in emphasis from rental development to home ownership.

“The only way to get people out of generational poverty is to allow them to accumulate wealth,” he explained. “That begins with affordable, single-family homes.”

Gainer called for greater accountability from careless landlords and for community investment in development, including pop-up markets and neighborhood commercial corridors.

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Budget and City Services

The candidates were not in agreement on how to address Buffalo’s projected deficit of $50 million to $70 million for 2025-26, sources said.

Gardner promised to cut spending rather than raise taxes.

“Buffalo has a spending problem, not a revenue problem,” he said. “I’ll start by cutting $2 million from the mayor’s office.”

Ryan responded that cost-cutting alone will not balance the budget.

“You can’t cut your way out of rising health costs and fixed bills,” he said to them, promising to be better at collecting revenue, noting that the city collects only around 7% of late fines, a figure which could not be confirmed independently, and to work with state partners to achieve fiscal stability.

Gainer, referencing his small-business experience, promised more control over overtime spending, with some $60 million above budget over six years, he approximated. The City Comptroller’s Office had reported $38 million in net overtime spending through spring 2025, so Gainer’s figure is an exaggeration, but closer to reality.

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Police Staffing and Contract Talks

All three candidates had spoken about the present labor standoff with the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association. The union threatened that up to 80 officers, or about 10% of the force, may retire early if a healthcare deal is not negotiated, according to recent news accounts.

Ryan said it will be tough to break expired contracts with the deficit, but vowed to reduce “built-in overtime” and consolidate the city’s 98 health plans. Gardner threatened a state takeover in case of impasses in talks. Gainer promised to build a tough negotiating team and reduce officer workloads by adding non-police response programs.

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Term Limits and Accountability

The contenders were split on term limits. Gainer promised to serve no longer than eight years. Gardner was a strong supporter of term limits, while Ryan opposed them, stating that leadership decisions should remain in the people’s hands.

“The people elect their leadership,” Ryan said. “Elections are how you provide accountability.”

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In its 41st year now, the debate reflects St. Joe’s commitment to civic values and participation through education. By hosting a formal, issue-focused event, the school provides students with hands-on training in political debate and active citizenship. Lina, moderator of every discussion since the 1980s, complimented the students on their professionalism and civic engagement.

What you heard today is what politics should be: exchanging ideas, not labels,” he said.

Student host Gavin Collard stated that the event made civic involvement real for participants.

“It’s different hearing politicians answer questions that you had a hand in creating,” he said. “It makes Buffalo’s future come alive.”

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A Tradition of Civic Dialogue

The debate concluded with all three candidates calling for unity. Ryan promised an open, professional government. Gardner encouraged voters to measure him by his record, and Gainer pledged to empower neighborhoods.

In conclusion, by Lina, “Democracy begins right here with citizens asking tough questions.”