Chris Scanlon announces bid for mayor of Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon officially announced his bid for mayor of Buffalo Wednesday night.

Scanlon’s announcement comes after candidates have officially declared their mayoral bid in recent months, including State Senator Sean Ryan, former Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield, Buffalo Common Council Member Rasheed Wyatt and former Buffalo City Court judge James McLeod.

Former Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown resigned from his post in October to become Western Regional Off-Track Betting’s CEO and president when Scanlon, then the Buffalo Common Council president, assumed the role as acting mayor.

In his announcement Wednesday, 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.

Who is Chris Scanlon? A look at Buffalo’s acting mayor

Strengthening the city’s finances, preparing residents for winter storms and collaborating with Buffalo Public Schools were also listed as priorities by Scanlon.

Since assuming office as acting mayor, Scanlon said his team has worked to create the largest capital budget in the city’s history, which totaled $110 million, adding that he has made government more accountable and transparent.

Scanlon was first elected to the council in 2012 and became president last January, bringing his goals of quality of life improvements, public safety and fixing the city’s financial situation to the chambers.

“If you have the same optimism, if you have the same love for this community that I do, this is the campaign for you,” he said.

Click here to see WIVB News 4’s running list of who has announced their candidacy for Buffalo mayor and who could consider a campaign.

Watch Scanlon’s full announcement in the video player below.

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Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

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