 Thompson was sworn in as the Masten District City Councilman on January 4 , 2001 after being appointed by the Democratic Committee . His east side district included 27 % of Buffalo 's African American population . The Buffalo City Council had a brief African @-@ American majority during Thompson 's appointed half term that ended following the subsequent elections in September and November 2001 . After African @-@ Americans lost their majority the council voted along racial lines by a 7 – 6 margin to shrink the common council from thirteen to nine members by eliminating the four at @-@ large positions ( three of which were held by African @-@ Americans ) . The city voters endorsed the proposal by a 35 @,@ 849 – 19 @,@ 036 margin which largely went along racial lines . Thompson retained his council position in the 2001 , 2003 and 2005 elections . Thompson served as a John Edwards delegate at the 2004 Democratic National Convention . 
