© 2025 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
red and white text reading OPPOSE RESCISSION PACKAGE CONTACT SENATE NOW 202-224-3121 against a blue background

McCarthy previews mayoral debate

With polls showing incumbent Byron Brown with a sizable lead in the race for Buffalo Mayor, Buffalo News Political Reporter Bob McCarthy believes tonight's debate on WBFO and WNED-TV could produce some surprises.

Candidates Bernie Tolbert, Sergio Rodriguez and Byron Brown will debate tonight at 8 p.m. in the WNED-TV studios. The event can also be heard on WBFO.

McCarthy says to keep an eye on Republican challenger Rodriguez, who "has been a very active candidate for somebody with no money."

In an earlier debate, Rodriguez gave a performance  that was "lively" and "pugnacious."

With the Democratic Primary approaching on September 10, McCarthy expects Democrat Bernie Tolbert to take an aggressive approach as well.

As for Mayor Brown, McCarthy gives strong reviews to the effort by his campaign team. If Brown were to be upset in the race, McCarthy says the mayor's team won't be to blame.

Tonight's debate is being produced in conjunction with WGRZ-TV, in cooperation with the League of Women Voters of Buffalo-Niagara.

Monday - Friday, 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

Jay joined Buffalo Toronto Public Media in 2008 and has been the local host for NPR's "Morning Edition" ever since. In June 2022, he was named one of the co-hosts of BTPM's "What's Next."

A graduate of St. Mary's of the Lake School, St. Francis High School, and Buffalo State College, Jay has worked most of his professional career in Buffalo. Outside of public media, he continues in longstanding roles as the public address announcer for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League and as play-by-play voice of Canisius College basketball.