BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — A well-known face in the Buffalo community, former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield, announced his run for Mayor of Buffalo on Tuesday.
Turning tragedy into purpose has been Whitfield's mission.
"My mother, Mrs. Ruth Whitfield was murdered on May 14th, 2022. She and nine other souls were murdered by a bigoted racist. A person that was taught to hate, just as I was taught to love," Whitfield said.
He announced his bid for mayor at the Durham Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, the church his parents attended when they moved to Buffalo from the south.
"I believe in the new day for Buffalo, and I believe that day is finally within reach," Whitfield said. "That's why I am asking for the privilege of being your mayor."
He shared one of his reasons for running.
"For generations, people with self-serving agendas have divided us wanting to believe that the concerns on the east side of Main Street are different from those on the west side," Whitfield shared.
His children, family, friends and the Buffalo community came by the hundreds to show their support.
"I've watched him lead our family my whole life," said Whitfield's daughter Kamilah Whitfield. "I've watched him lead our Buffalo Fire Department with grace, dignity, honor and respect so this isn't so much of a reach or jump. It seems like it makes sense."
Buffalo firefighters who had the opportunity to work under him during his tenure also shared their admiration of him.
"He has supported me, he has encouraged me, he has told me things I did not want to hear but as a brother in love and will tell you what you don't want to hear," Lt. Shelby Thompson, the Buffalo Fire Department's first African American firefighter, said.
"I understand and have experienced how fair this man is," retired City of Buffalo firefighter Terry Davis added. "He does not judge you by who you are. To quote King, he judges you by the 'content of your character.'"
A 25-year neighbor also shared his accounts with the mayoral candidate.
"That horrible incident that happened to his mother, I think triggered him into getting into politics," Timothy Cochrane said. "We see him as a neighbor, I see him as a friend. I see him as a great man. I see him as someone dedicated to improving the city."
A year after 5/14, Rev. Michael Bell became Whitfield's pastor.
He said seeing him during a distressed time and now with a new mindset shows his determination for change.
"To see him now throwing his hat in the ring is a tremendous day for humanity, a tremendous day for Buffalo," said Bell. "When we get hit by a curve, we don't stay down but, we get up."
