Columbia Mayor Barbara Buffaloe wins easy reelection over well-funded challenger
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia's mayor started Election Day at her polling place as she tried to fend off a challenge from three sides.
At the end of the day, she won reelection easily.
Barbara Buffaloe won her second term by getting 14,073 votes compared to 10,663 for her closest challenger, businessman Blair Murphy. Buffaloe told supporters gathered at a watch party that the victory was validation.
"I was a little bit anxious coming into tonight in part because we had a lot of money spent and when we have a lot of money spent it means that that creates a barrier supporting their community, running their local government," Buffaloe said.
Buffaloe also ran against Tanya Heath and write-in candidate Lucio Bitoy.
In her victory speech, Buffaloe told supporters in her second term, she plans to continue focusing on public safety, infrastructure, and supporting the Office of Violence Prevention in tackling the root causes of crime. She also emphasized the importance of investing in the city's core values.
Buffaloe said she wants to keep the city's momentum going.
"It was because of this, our momentum of what is Columbia, is why I think we succeeded at the polls because Columbia is about caring for one another, its about focusing on the vibrancy of our community, and our progressive nature and how we protect one another," Buffaloe said.
She added, "People recognize in Columbia our values matter regardless of what has happened at the federal and state level and we're going to continue to invest in that and continue the momentum going forward,"
Buffaloe posted a photo on social media Tuesday morning saying she voted at her polling place -- Campus Lutheran Church -- at 7:30 a.m.
She was first elected mayor in 2022 after defeating Randy Minchew 8,528 to 7,728.
Buffaloe sat down with ABC 17 News prior to the April election and said that being Columbia's mayor for the past three years qualifies her for reelection. She said she wants to continue the momentum on several projects in the city.
Buffaloe highlighted the implementation of trash roll carts in March 2024, improvements to the city's wastewater treatment plant and electric transmission lines and improving compensation for city employees.
She also highlighted the creation of the Office of Violence Prevention, with a goal to go beyond police responses and address issues such as poverty and youth violence. In previous reporting, Buffaloe told ABC 17 News she created the office after a 3-year-old boy was shot in Columbia.
Homelessness remains a key talking point in the city, and Buffaloe said addressing it will continue to be a top priority if reelected. She called it a complex issue that goes beyond increasing housing. Investments in social services and having support for mental health, drug addiction recovery and more will help people get on their feet, Buffaloe said.
Buffaloe moved to Columbia from Illinois in the late 1990s to attend the University of Missouri, where she received her bachelor of science in environmental design and a master of science in environment and behavior. She then worked for MU Extension before becoming the city's first sustainability manager.
She serves as chair on the Environment Standing Committee and has seats on the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Regional Economic Development and Missouri Innovation Center.
