Write-in candidate hopes to win big in Binghamton's upcoming election

(Binghamton N.Y.) Mayoral candidate Ken Butler doesn't give up on his dreams. 

“I come from a community where you have to struggle, where it's hard to survive," Butler said. "I moved my kids to a community where it was all about family, community and the pride of Binghamton." 

Originally from New York City, Butler and his family relocated to Binghamton in 2007. He said it wasn’t long after being here that he fell in love with the area. 

Now his dream is to be the head of it. 

Butler told us his journey in Binghamton politics began in 2017, but he fell short on the signatures he needed to collect to run as a democratic candidate. 

Earlier this year, Butler believed he surpassed the minimum 352 signatures needed to be on the ballot under the "People’s Party" line he created. But, after the treasurer of the Binghamton City Democratic Committee filed objections to his signatures, his signature count dropped to 288 and he was taken off the ballot. 

Despite the difficult journey, Butler said he is confident his supporters will come through, and elect him as an independent write-in for mayor. 

“I’m the only candidate who cares about the people," Butler said. "I’m the only candidate that struggled with the people. I know how much a gallon of milk costs. I’m affected when the gas prices rise. When the first of the month comes, I worry about paying rent. I’m just like you, which makes me special because if they vote for me, they’re voting for them."

Butler said he has observed the city shift its focus to the student population rather than the community since he moved to the area. In that moment, he said, he was called to make a difference. 

Butler told us if elected as mayor, his first order of business will be to tackle the city’s housing crisis. As most apartments and homes have been turned into student housing, Binghamton residents are scrambling for affordable places to live. 

“I want affordable houses, not housing, because people need to start generating their own generational wealth,” Butler said. 

He also wants to start holding landlords accountable for poor living conditions, restructure code enforcement, and create an “affordable houses program” where residents can apply to own homes without the burden of credit checks, as he understands how hard it can be to repair credit scores.

Butler said what sets him apart from other politicians is that, ironically, he’s not a politician. He told VNN he is just a regular person like other Binghamton residents. 

When asked why the people of Binghamton should vote for him, Butler said he is all about what the people want, and he will be the mayor that works for the people. 

Binghamton's current Mayor Richard David has served the allowed two term maximum as mayor and is now running for  New York’s 52nd District Senate seat. 

The Republican mayoral candidate is Jared Kraham. 

The Democratic mayoral candidate is Joe Burns. 

Sample ballots state to vote for candidates like Butler who are not printed on the ballot, "print the name clearly in the box labeled “Write-In”, staying within the box."  

Early voting is October 23 to 31 at the Binghamton Public Library.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 2. You can find polling information in your neighborhood by visiting BroomeVotes.com. 

You can follow Butler’s campaign on Facebook here.  

Donations to his campaign can be made via his GoFundMe.