♪ >>> THIS IS "METROFOCUS" WITH RAFAEL PI ROMAN, JACK FORD, AND JENNA FLANAGAN.

>>> "METROFOCUS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY -- SUE AND EDGAR WACHENHEIM III.

SYLVIA A.

AND SIMON B. POYTA PROGRAMING ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM.

THE PETER G. PETERSON AND JOAN GANZ COONEY FUND.

BERNARD AND DENISE SCHWARTZ.

BARBARA HOPE ZUCKERBERG.

THE AMBROSE MONELL FOUNDATION.

AND BY -- JANET PRINDLE SEIDLER.

JODY AND JOHN ARNHOLD.

CHERYL AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY.

JUDY AND JOSH WESTON.

DR. ROBERT C. AND TINA SOHN FOUNDATION.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO "METROFOCUS."

I'M JENNA FLANAGAN.

THIS WEEK'S RESIGNATION OF GOVERNOR CUOMO MEANS THAT IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS NEW YORK WILL HAVE ITS FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL.

ONE OVER LOOKED PART OF THE STORY IS THE IMPACT THIS COULD HAVE ON ONE CITY IN PARTICULAR.

NO, I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT NEW YORK CITY, BUT BUFFALO, NEW YORK'S SECOND LARGEST CITY AND KATHY HOCHUL'S HOMETOWN.

IT HAPPENS THAT BUFFALO IS ON THE POLITICAL CUSP OF MAKING POLITICAL HIMSELF TRY OF ITS OWN AND COULD SOON EFFECT ITS FIRST FEMALE MAYOR.

IN JUNE SHE STUNNED THE DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT WHEN SHE DEFEATED THE CURRENT BUFFALO MAYOR, A FOUR-TERM INCUMBENT IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

NOW SHE GOES ON TO WIN.

WALTON A SELF-DESCRIBED DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST WOULD BECOME NOT JUST THE FIRST WOMAN MAYOR, BUT THE FIRST MAYOR OF AN AMERICAN CITY SINCE 1960.

HER SUCCESS IS BEING CLOSELY FOLLOWED BY PROGRESSIVES BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY.

BUT FIRST WALTON FACES A WRITING CAMPAIGN FROM A MAN SHE DEFEATED IN THE PRIMARY.

JOINING ME NOW IS THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR MAYOR OF BUFFALO, INDIA WALTON.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME HERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY.

FIRST OFF, I WANT TO OF COURSE GET INTO YOUR STORY AND YOUR BACKGROUND.

BUT FIRST THE BIG NEWS THAT EVERYONE IN NEW YORK IS TALKING ABOUT, AND THAT IS OF COURSE THE RESIGNATION OF GOVERNOR CUOMO.

I JUST WANT TO GET YOUR TAKE ON JUST EVERYTHING THAT HAS TRANSPIRED THIS WEEK.

YOUR REACTION AT LEAST TO IT AND WHAT YOU THINK THAT MEANS FOR NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC POLITICS.

>> IT'S BEEN QUITE THE ROLLER COASTER OF A WEEK.

AND I THINK THAT THE TOP LINE HAS BEEN, WELL, THERE WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR AND POSSIBLY THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF BUFFALO.

BUT I THINK WHAT'S MORE INTERESTING AND EXCITING TO ME IS THAT WE WILL HAVE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL IN THE STATE AND AT THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL IN THE CITY THAT ARE BOTH FROM BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

I DON'T THINK IT'S WELL KNOWN THAT MAYOR BROWN IS NOT A BUFFALOAN.

HE'S FROM HOLLIS, QUEENS, THE SAME PLACE AS GOVERNOR CUOMO.

SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO HAVE BOTH WESTERN NEW YORK NATIVES.

AND, AGAIN, UNDERSTANDING THAT I'M NOT SURE IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO MEET WITH KATHY HOCHUL RIGHT NOW, BUT WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON HER AND WHAT ARE YOUR AT LEAST HOPEFUL EXPECTATIONS FROM HER AS GOVERNOR?

>> I ADMIRE KATHY HOCHUL.

I ADMIRE HER LEADERSHIP.

SHE'S ALSO BEEN A PERSON THAT FROM MY VIEW HAS BEEN AUTHENTIC AND HARD WORKING.

AND ALTHOUGH WE DON'T HAVE A VERY INTIMATE WORKING RELATIONSHIP, I HAVE MET HER SEVERAL TIMES, AND I PEG HER TO BE A PERSON THAT'S GOING TO BE WILLING AND READY TO TAKE UP THE JOB HEAD-ON DAY ONE AND REALLY BRING HOME THE VALUES WE HAVE AS NEW YORKERS.

>> SO ONE OF THE TOPICS THAT HAS COME OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S RESIGNATION IS WHETHER HOW BIG OF A SHIFT THERE HAS BEEN IN REGARDS TO SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND THE TREATMENT OF WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE.

AND I'M WONDERING FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS IS TRULY A FULL CULTURAL SHIFT OR PERHAPS WHAT WE WITNESSED WAS MORE OF A POLITICAL OPPORTUNITY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO PERHAPS REMOVE A GOVERNOR THAT, WHILE RE-ELECTED, MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN AS POPULAR WITH A LOT OF LEGISLATORS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I HAVE WORKED ON SOME STATEWIDE LEGISLATION AS AN ORGANIZER AND ADVOCATE FOR MANY YEARS AND KNOW THE PROCESS THAT A LOT OF US HAVE STRUGGLED WITH OUR IN 12 DAYS NOW FORMER GOVERNOR.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH KATHY HOCHUL TO MOVE PROGRESSIVE LEGISLATION FORWARD.

I DO THINK THIS IS A RECKONING, RIGHT?

WE ARE SEEING COSMIC SHIFTS AND A LOT MORE HONESTY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR EQUITY AND JUSTICE.

AND THAT DOES MEAN CLOSING THE RACIAL AND THE GENDER WEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT GAP IN NEW YORK STATE.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO KATHY BEING A CHAMPION TO GET US, IN THE WORDS OF MY FRIEND, OUR WHOLE DAMN DOLLAR.

>> OKAY.

ONE LAST QUESTION BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO YOUR VERY POWERFUL STORY.

BUT YOUR THOUGHTS ON ZERO TOLERANCE WHEN IT COMES TO ACCUSATIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY'RE -- ESPECIALLY FROM THE PROGRESSIVE SIDE THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CRITICISM OVER SOMETHING LIKE ZERO TOLERANCE IN OTHER SITUATIONS, I DO WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, IS FEASIBLE WHEN YOU ARE COMING TO DEALING WITH SOMETHING AS COMPLICATED AND NUANCED AS HUMAN BEHAVIOR?

>> YEAH.

AS A SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, I WOULD SAY BELIEVE WOMEN UNEQUIVOCALLY HANDS DOWN.

NO ONE WANTS TO EXPERIENCE THE TRAUMA.

AND IT IS VERY NUANCED, RIGHT?

WE'RE SEEING LOTS OF STORIES COME OUT ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKEN AND, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO LOOK A CERTAIN WAY.

BUT AS A SURVIVOR, I CAN TELL YOU THAT YOUR ACTIONS DON'T ALWAYS ALIGN WITH WHAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING INTERNALLY.

AND THERE IS A CERTAIN LEVEL OF FEAR THAT IS INVOLVED WITH NOT ONLY KNOWING THAT IT IS YOUR WORD AGAINST THEIRS.

THERE IS THIS WHOLE POWER DYNAMIC AT PLAY.

AND BEING WOMEN, WE'RE OFTEN NOT SEEN AND HEARD IN PROFESSIONAL SETTINGS, IN PERSONAL SETTINGS AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING ACCUSATIONS OF MISCONDUCT.

SO MY DEFAULT IS TO BELIEVE WOMEN.

BELIEVE WOMEN UNEQUIVOCALLY.

BELIEVE WOMEN WITHOUT QUESTION AND SUPPORT WOMEN IN OUR REQUEST FOR EQUALITY AND FOR JUSTICE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

NOW I WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE INCREDIBLY INSPIRING AND I THINK, PERHAPS, SURPRISING STORY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WIN IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

SO, FIRST OFF, LET'S JUST GO TO THE WIN.

THERE WAS A VERY HEART WARMING PHONE CALL I BELIEVE BETWEEN YOURSELF AND YOUR MOTHER WHICH REALLY WAS SO VERY SWEET.

BUT FIRST LET'S JUST GO BACK TO WHY WAS IT YOU FELT THIS WAS THE PRIMARY.

THIS WAS THE FACE FOR YOU TO STEP IN.

AND WHAT IS THE OPENING THAT YOU SAW THAT YOU BELIEVED GAVE YOU THE POSSIBILITY OF ACTUALLY TAKING THE DOMINATION?

>> I'M A LIFELONG BUFFALOIAN.

I LIVE HERE.

I'M RAISING MY FAMILY HERE.

MY MOTHER, YOU KNOW, CAME HERE DURING THE GREAT MIGRATION IN THE 1960s AND HAS SINCE BEEN BACK TO ALABAMA.

SHE SAID, WHY DO YOU STAY THERE?

I TOLD HER THERE IS SOMETHING I NEED TO DO.

I TOLD HER IF I DID NOT WIN THE PRIMARY, I WOULD MOVE DOWN SOUTH KNOWING THAT I AND MY CHILDREN CANNOT POSSIBLY SURVIVE FOUR MORE YEARS OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE RESPONSE OR THE LACK OF RESPONSE TO NUMBER ONE A GLOBAL HEALTH PANDEMIC AND NUMBER TWO THE RESPONSE TO THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD AND THE UPRISINGS THAT FOLLOWED.

SO I THOUGHT IT WAS A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME, BEING THAT I'M UNTETHERED TO THE LOCAL DEMOCRATIC ESTABLISHMENT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE OPERATED IN PROXIMITY, BUT NO ONE CAN REALLY DO ME MUCH HARM.

I'M A REGISTERED NURSE.

I CAN ALWAYS FIND A JOB.

I'M NOT DEPENDENT ON MY POLITICAL RELATIONSHIPS FOR MY LIVE LIVELIHOOD.

SO I FIGURED THE CURRENT MAYOR IN HIS 16 YEARS WAS MORE VULNERABLE THAN EVER AND MYSELF AND MY MOVEMENT AND MY BASE AND THE PEOPLE WHO WERE OUT IN THE STREETS ALL SUMMER LAST YEAR WERE AS STRONG AS EVER.

SO WHY NOT TRY TO CRACK THAT SEAL OPEN FOR TRULY PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO.

>> OF COURSE.

JUST SO THAT WE'RE VERY CLEAR, WHEN YOU SAY THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP AND ITS MANAGEMENT OF THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE I'M SURE A LOT OF NEW YORKERS WOULD SAY, WHILE THERE IS SPREAD IN NEW YORK STATE, THE GULF COAST STATES ARE DOING FAR WORSE THAN NEW YORK IS.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT A LOT OF WHAT WE SUFFERED FROM HERE IN BUFFALO AND IN WESTERN NEW YORK WAS A RESULT OF THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, RIGHT?

LIKE WE'RE ALREADY A RUST BELT BLUE COLOR THAT SUFFERED FOR MANY, MANY DECADES.

AND THE PANDEMIC PUT A MAGNIFYING GLASS ON THINGS WE ALREADY KNEW WHICH WAS DISPARITIES IN HEALTH OUTCOME, CLEAN AIR, WATER, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, YOU KNOW, AND WE DIDN'T GET THE RESPONSE THAT WE NEEDED OUT OF OUR MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

AND OUT OF THAT STRONG MULTIPLE LITTLE POCKETS OF MUTUAL AID EFFORTS WHERE WE TOOK CARE OF ANOTHER AND IT IS THAT COMMUNITY THAT IS RESPONSIBILITY FOR BEING ABLE TO HELP PROPEL ME INTO VICTORY INTO THIS LAST PRIMARY.

>> OF COURSE.

NOW I WANT TO GET TO YOUR -- YOUR TITLE IN TERMS OF THE POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND THAT, OF COURSE, IS DEMOCRATIC SO SOCIALIST.

NOW, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY HEAR THAT THEY THINK OF BERNIE SANDERS, ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ AND THINK OF THEM MORE AS AGO GATORS AND NOT EXACTLY EXECUTIVES.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU AS A POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE OF A CITY TO BE A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST?

HOW DOES THAT CHANGE THE PO POLICIES OR THE WAY THAT BUFFALO IS GOVERNED?

>> I THINK IN ITS SIMPLIST TERMS, BEING A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST MEANS THAT PUBLIC POLICY AND PUBLIC RESOURCES GO FORWARD PUBLIC GOOD, THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO CONTINUE TO EXPEND TAXPAYER DOLLARS ENRICHING THE ALREADY RICH AND ENCLOSING POWER AND WEALTH WHEN WE SHOULD BE PUTTING THAT AT THE GROUND LEVEL.

AND I THINK THAT SOCIALISM, DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM HAS BEEN USED AS A DOG WHISTLE TO KEEP HARD, WORKING GLASS PEOPLE AFRAID OF WHAT SOCIALISM ACTUALLY MEANS.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE PRINCIPLES THAT OUR COUNTRY IS FOUNDED ON, YOU KNOW.

NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION, RIGHT?

WE PAY FOR THE SERVICES THAT WE EXPECT.

AND WE HAVE GOTTEN CAUGHT INTO THIS TRAP OF NEOLIBERALISM, OF HYPER CAPITALISM AND RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM THAT IS LEAVING THOSE OF US WHO DO ALL OF THE WORK, WHO PROVIDE ALL OF THE RESOURCES STILL WAITING FOR OUR TURN WHILE THOSE WHO DO THE LEAST WORK PROFIT OFF OF OUR LABOR AND THE MEANS OF PRODUCTION AND, YOU KNOW, AS DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS, WE JUST WANT WHAT'S RIGHTFULLY OURS.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE WORK SO HARD EVERY DAY FOR.

>> I GUESS THEN HOW DOES THAT GO INTO PRACTICE, THOUGH, FOR BUFFALO?

AND I'M ASKING THAT BECAUSE BY AND LARGE, WESTERN NEW YORK TENDS TO BE SOMETHING OF A CONSERVATIVE PART OF THE STATE.

I'M TALKING ABOUT OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF BUFFALO.

AND, SO, HOW -- LIKE, YOU DO HAVE, PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, CITY EMPLOYEES, ET CETERA, WHO, WHILE THEY WORK FOR THE CITY, ARE NOT RESIDENTS OF THE CITY.

AND, SO, THEY MIGHT NOT NECESSARILY HOLD THE SAME VALUES OF THE CITIZENS OF BUFFALO.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK AT THE FOUNDATION OF IT, IT'S THAT WHEN THE LEAST OF US DOES WELL, WE ALL DO BETTER, RIGHT?

AND THAT'S A TALKING POINT THAT HAS BEEN COOPTED BY MY OPPOSITION, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE WORKING FULL-TIME JOBS AND STANDING ON THE WELFARE LINE.

THERE ARE FOLKS WHO WORK FOR THE CITY GOVERNMENT WHO ARE STILL NOT MAKING A LIVING WAGE, WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP.

AND THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS FOR A LOT OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES, THEY ARE MAKING MONEY ON CITY TAXPAYER DIME AND TAKING IT OUT TO WHEREEVER THEY LIVE.

BUT I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYONE THAT WOULD DISAGREE THAT ALL HUMAN BEINGS DESERVE DECENT HOUSING, FOOD, EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE.

THOSE ARE BASICS.

AND THAT'S THE BASIS OF WHAT I BELIEVE, WHAT FOLKS WHO SUPPORT ME BELIEVE AND WHAT OUR PLATFORM IS.

>> WELL, YOU MENTIONED YOUR, I GUESS, COMPETITOR, FOR LACK OF A BETTER DESCRIPTION.

NO, SERIOUSLY.

BYRON BROWN IS RUNNING A WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN AFTER LOSING THE PRIMARY.

FIRST I JUST WANT TO GET YOUR REACTION.

I MEAN, DOES THAT AT ALL SURPRISE YOU?

AND HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU IN DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN BUFFALO WHEN IT -- I MEAN, ASIDE FROM THE VOTERS, BUT HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU IN THE PARTY?

>> I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PARTY IN RECENT WEEKS SINCE I WON THE PRIMARY THAT I THINK IS VERY PROMISING.

I THINK THAT A LOT OF OUR DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE DEMOCRATS, RIGHT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE.

I WOULD HAVE HOPED THAT MY OPPONENT WOULD HAVE AGREED TO PRODUCTIVE TRANSITION, AND IT WAS MY HOPE THAT WE ALL LOVE BUFFALO SO DEEPLY THAT WE WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR CITY AND AND OUR RESIDENTS AND CONSTITUENCY.

NOW THERE IS A WRITE-IN CAMPAIGN THAT'S VERY MUCH BEING SUPPORTED BY THE GOP REPUBLICANS AND THE FAR RIGHT AND I THINK THAT THE VOTERS AND OUR DEMOCRATIC BASE, BUFFALO IS 65% DEMOCRATS, I THINK THAT EVERYONE CAN SEE THROUGH WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

AND THESE ARE TALKING POINTS AND FEAR THAT IS BEING INSTILLED IN PEOPLE THAT IS UNREASONABLE, AND THAT IS JUST UNTRUE.

I THINK THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY ON NOVEMBER 2nd, JUST LIKE IN THE PRIMARY, THE VOTERS ARE GOING TO SHOW UP AND THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD AND THEY'RE GOING TO CHOOSE WALTON ADMINISTRATION AND IT IS GOING TO USHER IN AN ERA OF EQUITY, OF JUSTICE, OF FAIRNESS AND PRIORITIZATION OF WORKING CLASS AND POOR PEOPLE IN BUFFALO.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED A FEAR THAT THERE WAS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FEAR THAT WAS BEING USED.

AND A LOT OF TIMES WHEN PEOPLE WANT TO CRITICIZE PROGRESSIVES IN AMERICA, THEY IMMEDIATELY POINT TO THE CAMPAIGN TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

NOW, I KNOW THAT YOU ARE VERY ACTIVE IN A LOT OF THE MARCHES IN 2020 IN REACTION TO THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

AND I'M WONDERING WHERE WOULD YOU STAND AS MAYOR OF BUFFALO IN REGARDS TO THE BUFFALO POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS FACED SOME CRITICISM OF ITS OWN IN TERMS OF USE OF FORCE.

AND IS DEFUND THE POLICE THE WAY -- SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD GO FORWARD WITH?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M A NURSE BY TRADE, AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS FOR ME AS A NURSE WAS TO NOT USE VERY JARGONY LANGUAGE AND INDUSTRY LANGUAGE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH.

AND I THINK THAT DEFUND IS A WORD THAT, AGAIN, NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IT MEANS, JUST LIKE SOCIALISM, RIGHT.

SO WE KNOW WHAT WE DON'T WANT, BUT WE HAVE NOT TAKEN THE TIME TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT WE DO WANT.

SO FOR ME IT IS NOT A MATTER OF DEFUNDING THE POLICE.

WHAT IT IS IS A MATTER OF ALLOWING OUR POLICE TO DO THE JOB THAT WAS INTENDED FOR THEM TO DO.

NOW WE ARE EXPECTING POLICE TO RESPOND TO PARKING VIOLATIONS AND ALL OF OUR SOCIETAL ILLS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM A LACK OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES THAT WE NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO IT IS ABOUT FULLY FUNDING COMMUNITY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT REMOVE POLICE FROM HAVING TO RESPOND TO CERTAIN CALLS.

WE DON'T NEED ARMED OFFICERS TO RESPOND TO EVERY SINGLE CALL IN THE COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE TRUSTED MESSENGERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES THAT WE CAN USE.

THERE ARE ALTERNATIVES TO POLICING THAT CAN BE INSTITUTED FOR FAR LESS.

SO I THINK THAT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO NOT USE BROAD STROKE LANGUAGES AND EXPECT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IT BECAUSE IT DOES SOUND SCARY.

I LIVE IN BUFFALO.

I LIVE IN BUFFALO.

MY CHILDREN ARE BEING RAISED IN BUFFALO.

I HAVE FOUR BOYS, AND THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE IS A CONCERN FOR MOTHERS, FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME.

I KNOW THAT WE HAVE NOT BUILT THE SOCIETY THAT WE REALLY WANT, THAT ALLOWS US TO HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT LIVES WITHOUT PO POLICE.

BUT I ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND ALSO TO BE ABLE TO HOLD POLICE ACCOUNTABLE.

IT IS NOT ONLY ON THE POLICE.

IT IS NOT ONLY ON THE COMMUNITY.

IT TAKES BOTH.

AND OUR PUBLIC SAFETY PLATFORM IS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE ONE THAT FOCUSES ON REDUCING POVERTY, INCREASING ACCESS TO TRAINING AND JOBS, AS WELL AS HOLDING POLICE WHO ARE BAD ACTORS ACCOUNTABLE TO ALLOW THE ONES WHO REALLY INTEND TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND DO IT FAITHFULLY TO -- TO SHINE.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU SPOKE VERY ELOQUENTLY JUST NOW ON THE CHALLENGES THAT YOUR CITY IS GOING TO FACE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO POLICING AND WHAT THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BUFFALO, AS YOU INDICATED, IS FACING SOME OF THE SAME CHALLENGES THAT NEW YORK IS FACING, AND THAT IS AN INCREASE IN VIOLENCE AND GUN VIOLENCE.

AND WHILE YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK WOULD BE SOME OF THE BETTER WAYS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES, I'M WONDERING FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE WHAT IS AT THE ROOT OF THIS?

BECAUSE SO MANY PROBLEMS, YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ROOT IS CAN YOU REALLY SOLVE IT.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE PERSPECTIVES THAT I BRING INTO LEADERSHIP IS A NURSE WORKING IN ACUTE AND CRITICAL CARE AND ALSO AS A SCHOOL NURSE AND SEEING THAT A LOT OF THE ISSUES THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FACE ARE ROOTED IN CONCENTRATED POVERTY AND DISADVANTAGE, RIGHT?

NOT STUDENTS THAT CAME TO SEE ME BECAUSE THEY WERE SICK, BUT STUDENTS THAT CAME TO SEE ME BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE A BED.

THEY WERE LATE, CHRONICALLY LATE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE AN ALARM CLOCK OR THEY HAD A PARENT THAT WORKED AND DIDN'T GET OFF OF WORK UNTIL 8:00 IN THE MORNING, YOU KNOW, A HALF HOUR BEFORE THEY NEEDED TO BE IN THE SCHOOL BUILDING.

SO THE ROOT CAUSE OF CRIME, OF CONCENTRATED POVERTY AND DISADVANTAGE STARTS AT THE BEGINNING WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIVING WAGE JOBS.

I AM A BIG PROPONENT OF ORGANIZED LABOR, OF UNION MEMBERSHIP AND THE RIGHTS TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTS THAT REALLY VALUES WORKERS AND THE LABOR THAT WE PUT IN OF EQUITY AND HEALTH CARE AND IN CHILD CARE AND IN ALL OF THOSE THINGS THAT REALLY REDUCED POVERTY, CLOSING THIS RACIAL WEALTH AND HOMEOWNER SHIP GAP IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO, IS ONE OF THE WORST IN THE STATION IS REALLY THE THINGS THAT I WANT TO FACE HEAD-ON AND TAKE AS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WHEN WE ARE ABLE TO CLOSE THAT GAP, WE WILL SEE IMPROVEMENTS IN QUALITY OF LIFE, IN SOCIAL DETERMINES OF HEALTH AND A NATURAL REDUCTION OF CRIME BECAUSE NOW WE'RE GIVING PEOPLE HOPE, SOMETHING TO LIVE FOR SO THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT OUT HERE DYING OF DISEASES OF DESPAIR.

YOU KNOW, YOU MENTIONED YOUR BACKGROUND AS A NURSE SEVERAL TIMES.

AND, SO, DRAWING ON THAT, THAT CAREER OF CARING FOR OTHERS, I WANTED TO GET YOUR TAKE ON THE POSSIBILITY OF SINGLE PAIR HEALTH CARE.

IF NOT NATIONALLY, AT LEAST IN NEW YORK.

>> I THINK IT'S CRITICAL, RIGHT?

I THINK A NATIONAL MODEL IS BEST, BUT IF WE CAN GET THIS DONE IN NEW YORK STATE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE OFTEN SAID THAT AS NEW YORK STATE GOES, SO DOES THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

IT WILL BE A NATIONAL MODEL, AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE CAN DO.

I THINK WE'VE HAD MEDICARE AND MEDICAID REFORM OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THAT FOCUSES ON PREVENTION AND REDUCING READMISSIONS AND THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN REALLY SUCCESSFUL WITH THE USE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS AND REALLY MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT IN COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES.

I THINK THAT HAS BEEN INNOVATIVE AND CRITICAL TO IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES.

BUT WE CAN TAKE IT ONE STEP FURTHER.

I THINK AS WE ENGAGE EXPERTS AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, WE WILL -- WE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE A CHANGE IN HOW HEALTH CARE IS VIEWED AND NOT HAVE A POSITION OF TREATING ILLNESS OR EVEN PREVENTING ILLNESS, RIGHT?

IT IS ADDRESSING THOSE -- THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT, ACCESS TO EDUCATION, ACCESS TO JOBS, REDUCING STRESS, ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD, CLEAN AIR AND WATER, ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

PEDESTRIAN INFRASTRUCTURE IS WHAT'S REALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THE NEEDLE TO REDUCE THE COST OF HEALTH CARE BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN SUCH A REACTIVE STATE WE TREAT PEOPLE WHEN THEY'RE ALREADY SICK, AND THE POINT IS TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM BEING SICK IN THE FIRST PLACE BUT TAKING IT ONE STEP FURTHER AND ALLOWING THEM TO LEAD HEALTHY, WHOLISTIC LIVES.

YOU KNOW, I SAW OFTEN THAT BLACK FOLKS LIKE YOGA, TOO.

YOU KNOW?

>> YES, INDEED.

>> WE CAN DEFINITELY IMPROVE OUR HEALTH AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IN WAYS THAT ARE A LOT LESS EXPENSIVE THAN HOW WE CURRENTLY SPEND OUR HEALTH CARE DOLLARS.

>> FINAL QUESTION IS I'M WONDERING IF YOU SEE YOUR NOMINATION AND POSSIBLE ELECTION, HOW DO YOU SEE THAT IMPACTING NATIONAL POLITICS IN TERMS OF PROGRESSIVES?

BECAUSE AS I SAID EARLIER, I THINK WHEN A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS, THINK THEY OF THE AGITATOR FROM THE LEFT, THE PERSON PUSHING THE REST OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, BUT NOT NECESSARILY AN EXECUTIVE LIKE WE DISCUSSED EARLIER.

HOW DO YOU SEE THAT CHANGING IF YOU BECOME MAYOR?

I GUESS THE DIALOGUE AROUND WHAT PROGRESSIVISM AND DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM LOOKS LIKE WHEN PUT INTO ACTION.

>> I REALLY SEE MYSELF AS A BRIDGE, AS A PERSON THAT HAS VERY PROGRESSIVE VALUES.

BUT, AGAIN, I WILL, YOU KNOW, TURN TO MY EXPERIENCE AS A NURSE.

THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT I WORKED WITH THAT I DIDN'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE SAME MORAL VALUES A LOT OF TIME.

BUT WHEN IT CAME TO SAVING THE LIFE OF A VULNERABLE MOTHER OR INFANT, WE HAD TO WORK TOGETHER TO SAVE THAT LIFE.

AND IN MY OPINION RIGHT NOW, THE CITY OF BUFFALO AND NEW YORK STATE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS ON LIFE-SUPPORT.

SO I SEE MYSELF AS A BRIDGE TO BE ABLE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER TOWARD THE COMMON GOAL, WHICH IS THE ULTIMATE HEALTH OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND OF OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING A PERSON THAT'S ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, MOVE FORWARD WITH PROGRESSIVE VALUES BUT ALSO WORK WITH OUR LEGACY DEMOCRATS AND SAY, LIKE, IT'S OKAY.

WE'RE NOT SCARY PEOPLE.

WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER BUT WE WANT TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR ALL OF US.

I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO BUFFALO BEING A CASE STUDY IN HOW WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> OKAY.

SO WE'VE GOT ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT.

DOES THAT MEAN THAT WE COULD SEE YOU NOT ONLY PERHAPS CAMPAIGNING WITH SOME WELL-KNOWN PROGRESSIVES LIKE BERNIE SANDERS, ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ.

I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEIR SCHEDULES ARE.

OR ALSO A NEW YORK PERSON, JAMANI WILLIAMS.

OR COULD WE SEE YOU ALSO, YOU KNOW, MAKING SOME VERY PUBLIC STATEMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WITH SOME MORE ESTABLISHED DEMOCRATS?

>> I AM GOING TO WORK WITH AND I'M COMMITTING TO WORK WITH EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO DO THE WORK TO SEE JUSTICE AND EQUITY BE SERVED FOR PEOPLE IN BUFFALO AND NEW YORK STATE AND ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

I AM REALLY INSPIRED BY FOLKS LIKE COREY BUSH AND BERNIE SANDERS.

I THINK THERE IS ROOM FOR ALL OF US.

IN ORDER FOR US TO SEE AN ADVANCEMENT OF JUSTICE IN EQUITY IS GOING TO REQUIRE ALL OF US, AND THAT MEANS CHUCK SCHUMER AND SENATOR GILLIBRAND AND EVERYONE ELSE IS MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME ALONG AND HELP PUSH AND LIFT AS WE CLIMB.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LISTEN, INDIA WALTON, DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FOR THE MAYORAL POSITION IN THE CITY OF BUFFALO, FIRST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR WIN, AND WE WILL BE WATCHING AS YOUR CAMPAIGN MOVES TOWARDS NOVEMBER 2nd.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> "METROFOCUS" IS MADE POSSIBLE BY -- SUE AND EDGAR WACHENHEIM III.

SYLVIA A.

AND SIMON B. POYTA PROGRAMING ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM.

THE PETER G. PETERSON AND JOAN GANZ COONEY FUND.

BERNARD AND DENISE SCHWARTZ.

BARBARA HOPE ZUCKERBERG.

THE AMBROSE MONELL FOUNDATION.

AND BY -- JANET PRINDLE SEIDLER.

JODY AND JOHN ARNHOLD.

CHERYL AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY.

JUDY AND JOSH WESTON.

DR. ROBERT C. AND TINA SOHN FOUNDATION.