Buffalo mayoral race: Democratic Committee endorsement narrowed to four candidates

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The competition to earn the Erie County Democratic Committee endorsement in the race for Buffalo mayor is getting clearer as only four candidates were asked to return for the committee’s final mayoral convention on Feb. 18.

The candidates are acting mayor Chris Scanlon, state senator Sean Ryan, former fire commissioner Garnell Whitfield, and councilmember Rasheed Wyatt.

The party’s endorsement will take place in late February (more info here). The endorsed candidate would still need to win the primary election in June in order to earn the official nomination for the party line in the November general election.

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown resigns from office

Those not selected for the committee’s endorsement can still run for the seat Byron Brown held for nearly 20 years, they just won’t be the endorsed candidate.

Others who participated in the Democratic Committee convention process include former Buffalo City Court judge James McLeod, community organizers James Payne and Michael Gainer, and Maggie Harter.

Who is running for Buffalo mayor in 2025?

Chris Scanlon

Scanlon has been in the city’s acting mayor since Brown resigned. In his campaign announcement on Jan. 22, Scanlon said as mayor, he would remain focused on improving the lives of residents and people who work in the city.

“We will focus on ensuring all residents have access to safe, healthy, high quality, affordable housing, making sure our community is safer and reducing crime in all of our neighborhoods, creating new, good paying jobs and career opportunities while allowing our businesses to flourish,” he said.

Sean Ryan

Ryan has served as the representative for New York’s 61st State Senate seat since 2020 after serving for a decade in the New York State Assembly. He was re-elected earlier this month.

In video announcing his running, Ryan said Buffalo “deserves better” and listed affordable housing, funding for schools and childcare, fighting discrimination and working on the city’s waterfront as some of the topics that constitute his platform.

Garnell Whitfield

Whitfield served as the city’s fire commissioner from 2010 to 2017.

He spoke about budget issues facing the city as he announced his run for mayor, including the multimillion dollar budget shortfall. He is running on a platform of bettering the city’s education, workforce and development of neighborhoods and local businesses without displacement.

Rasheed Wyatt

Wyatt has represented the city’s University District since he was first elected in 2014.

In his role as council member, Wyatt serves as chair of the Civil Service Committee and is a member of the Community Development, Education, Police Oversight, Budget and Waterfront Development Committees.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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