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2025 Buffalo mayoral election

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2025 Buffalo mayoral election
← 2021 November 4, 2025 2029 →
 
Nominee Sean Ryan James Gardner
Party Democratic Republican
Alliance Working Families Conservative
Incumbent Mayor

Christopher Scanlon (acting)
Democratic



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The 2025 Buffalo mayoral election will be held on November 4, 2025, to elect the mayor of Buffalo, New York.[1]

Incumbent acting mayor Christopher Scanlon, who took office upon the resignation of Byron Brown, ran for a full term but was defeated in the Democratic primary by state senator Sean Ryan. The Republican Party nominated former county assistant district attorney James Gardner, while Buffalo ReUse founder Michael Gainer is running as an independent.

Background

[edit]

In anticipation of mayor Byron Brown's resignation, South Buffalo councilman Christopher Scanlon was elected president of the Buffalo Common Council by a council vote on January 2, 2024.[2] Scanlon had organized Brown's write-in campaign for the 2021 Buffalo mayoral election that won him a fifth term.[3] Brown resigned to become chief executive officer of Western Regional Off-Track Betting on October 15, 2024, making Scanlon the acting mayor through right of succession to serve out his remaining term.[4]

Democratic primary

[edit]
Sean Ryan (left) with acting mayor Christopher Scanlon at a library opening, March 2025

State senator Sean Ryan was endorsed by the Erie County Democratic Committee on February 22, 2025.[5] The endorsement process faced criticism, as committee chairman Jeremy Zellner announced Ryan's endorsement several days before a vote was held among membership.[6] Zellner denied rumors that he had pushed for Ryan's endorsement in exchange for being appointed to Ryan's state senate seat if he won mayorship.[6] As both party chairman and self-appointed Erie County board of elections commissioner, Zellner has been accused of having a conflict of interest with regards to elections and nominating petitions.[7] Four candidates alleged impropriety in the endorsement process: Buffalo ReUse founder Michael Gainer, acting mayor Christopher Scanlon, former Buffalo Fire commissioner Garnell Whitfield, and common councilor Rasheed Wyatt.[6][8]

Michael Gainer was disqualified from the primary after Sean Ryan sued him in New York Supreme Court, alleging his nominating petition contained fraud.[9] Gainer then successfully petitioned to run as an independent candidate in the general election, and he will appear on the Restore Buffalo line.[10] Christopher Scanlon also completed an independent petition for the general election.[11] Garnell Whitfield's petition for an independent line was disqualified by the Erie County board of elections after a challenge by Scanlon's campaign.[12]

Frontrunners Sean Ryan and Christopher Scanlon both launched attack ads against each other in the leadup to the primary.[13] Ryan's ads accused Scanlon of accepting donations from Republican Carl Paladino, while Scanlon's ads accused Ryan of endorsing 2021 candidate India Walton and her platform to defund the police.[13]

Sean Ryan won the Democratic primary on June 24, 2025.[14] 27% of registered Democrats cast ballots, which was a higher voter turnout than the 2021 primary.[15] 7,500 ballots were cast during the nine-day early voting period, up from 2,684 in 2021.[16] Christopher Scanlon withdrew his independent bid following the primary and announced he would return to the Buffalo Common Council presidency, ensuring a new mayor would be decided in the general election.[17]

Nominee

[edit]
Democratic candidates
Candidate Experience Announced Ref

Sean Ryan 		NY state senator for the 61st district (2021–present)
NY assemblymember for the 149th district (2011–2021)
November 23, 2024
Website 		[18]

Eliminated in primary

[edit]

Disqualified

[edit]

Withdrawn

[edit]
  • Maggie Harter, community activist[24]
  • James McLeod, retired Buffalo City Court judge[25]
  • James Payne, community activist[26]
  • Terrence Robinson, community activist and Green nominee for mayor in 2017[24]

Declined

[edit]

Endorsements

[edit]
Sean Ryan
Political parties
State legislators
Local officials
Organizations
Labor unions
Newspapers
Christopher Scanlon
State legislators
Local officials
Labor unions
Declined to endorse
Statewide officials

Debates

[edit]
2025 Buffalo mayoral Democratic primary debates
No. Date Host Moderator Link Participants
Key:
 P  Participant    A  Absent    N  Non-invitee    I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
Ryan Scanlon Tyson-
Thompson 		Whitfield Wyatt
1[44] June 3, 2025 WIVB-TV Dave Greber
Marlee Tuskes 		Video P P P P P
2[45] June 17, 2025 WKBW-TV Michael Wooten Video P P P P P

Forums

[edit]
2025 Buffalo mayoral Democratic primary forums
No. Date Host Moderator Link Participants
Key:
 P  Participant    A  Absent    N  Non-invitee    I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
Gainer Harter McLeod Payne Robinson Ryan Scanlon Tyson-
Thompson 		Whitfield Wyatt
1[46] December 5, 2024 ECDC Jennifer Hibit Audio P N P A P P P N P N
2[47] January 25, 2025 ECDC Jennifer Hibit Video P P P P A P P N P P
3[48] February 18, 2025 ECDC Jeremy Zellner Video N N W N N P P N P P
4[49] March 5, 2025 ESCP Austin Martin
Sherry Sherrill 		Video P P W P P P P N P P
5[50] May 12, 2025 LCV Michael Wooten
Julie Tighe 		Video N W W W W P A P A P
6[51] May 30, 2025 WUFO Darius Pridgen
Marc Pope 		Video N W W W W P P P P P
7[52] May 30, 2025 Casting Buffalo Harry Lipsitz Video P W W W W P A P P A
8[53] May 31, 2025 NYIC Win Min Thant Video N W W W W P P P P P
9[54] June 4, 2025 Good Food
Buffalo Coalition 		Brenda McDuffie Video P W W W W P A P A A
10[55] June 5, 2025 The Buffalo News Deidre Williams
Elizabeth Licata
Justin Sondel 		Video N W W W W P P P P P
11[56] June 12, 2025 WNYIL Todd Vaarwerk Video N W W W W P P P P P
12[57] June 13, 2025 BRRAlliance Timothy Priano Video P W W W W P P A P A

Fundraising

[edit]
Campaign finance reports as of June 17, 2025
Candidate Raised Total funds Spent Est.
Cash on hand
Sean Ryan $583,626 $1,041,626 $975,007 $74,205
Christopher Scanlon $664,668 $1,209,551 $857,397 $340,338
Anthony Tyson-Thompson $3,380 $3,380 $0 $3,380
Garnell Whitfield $45,240 $76,042 $70,153 $5,488
Rasheed Wyatt $31,437 $44,132 $17,898 $24,861
Source: The Buffalo News[58]

Results

[edit]
2025 Buffalo mayoral Democratic primary[59]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sean Ryan 12,439 46.4%
Democratic Christopher Scanlon (incumbent) 9,430 35.2%
Democratic Garnell Whitfield 2,204 8.2%
Democratic Rasheed Wyatt 2,066 7.7%
Democratic Anthony Tyson-Thompson 642 2.4%
Total votes 26,781 100%

Republican nomination

[edit]

James Gardner was initially reported as being a placeholder candidate who would later give up his ballot line after the party nominated him to a judgeship in Yonkers.[60] He denied those claims, and declared his intention to compete in the general election.[61] Erie County clerk Michael Kearns has reportedly offered to replace Gardner on the ballot.[62]

Nominee

[edit]
Republican candidates
Candidate Experience Announced Ref

James Gardner 		Erie County assistant district attorney (2010–2017)
Republican nominee for Erie County district attorney in 2024
February 27, 2025
Website 		[63]

Declined

[edit]

Endorsements

[edit]
James Gardner
Party chapters

Working Families nomination

[edit]

The Working Families Party clarified that their nomination of Sean Ryan was contingent on him winning the Democratic primary.[64] They reserved the right to rescind their nomination should he have been defeated, as the party historically does not endorse spoiler candidates.[64] Ryan also said he would have withdrawn from the mayoral race if he lost the Democratic primary.[65]

Nominee

[edit]

Endorsements

[edit]
Sean Ryan
Party chapters

Conservative nomination

[edit]

James Gardner has worked as a civil attorney for the law firm of Erie County Conservative Party chairman Ralph Lorigo since January 2025.[66][67]

Nominee

[edit]
  • James Gardner, former Erie County assistant district attorney (Republican)[12]

Declined

[edit]

Endorsements

[edit]
James Gardner
Party chapters

Independent candidates

[edit]

Michael Gainer and Christopher Scanlon filed independent petitions to run in the general election under new party lines, ensuring they would be able to continue their campaigns even if they failed to secure the Democratic nomination.[11] Garnell Whitfield's independent petition was disqualified by the Erie County board of elections after a challenge by Scanlon's campaign.[12] Scanlon announced that he was withdrawing his independent candidacy, and would instead return to serving as Buffalo Common Council president.[17]

Declared

[edit]
Independent candidates
Candidate Party Experience Announced Ref

Michael Gainer 		Restore Buffalo Erie County Democratic Committee member (2024–present)
Founder of Buffalo ReUse
May 28, 2025
Website 		[11]

Disqualified

[edit]

Withdrawn

[edit]

Declined

[edit]

General election

[edit]

Independent candidate Michael Gainer launched his general election bid by starting a voter registration campaign.[70] Gainer sees Zohran Mamdani's success in the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary as proof that voters are eager to reject establishment politicians like Democratic nominee Sean Ryan.[70]

Republican nominee James Gardner staged a press conference to launch his general election campaign on July 9, 2025.[71] He likened Ryan to New York City mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, claiming that Ryan is a supporter of socialism.[71] Both Ryan and Mamdani are endorsed by the Working Families Party, which Gardner describes as "extremist".[72] Ryan dismissed Gardner's claims, with Erie County Democratic Committee chair Jeremy Zellner saying he's "confident" Ryan will be victorious in November's election.[72]

Results

[edit]
2025 Buffalo mayoral election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sean Ryan
Working Families Sean Ryan
Total Sean Ryan
Republican James Gardner
Conservative James Gardner
Total James Gardner
Restore Buffalo Michael Gainer[a]
Total votes 100%

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Michael Gainer is a registered Democrat, but is running an independent mayoral campaign following his disqualification from the Democratic primary.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mayoral election in Buffalo, New York (2025)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 10, 2025.
  2. ^ Ashley, Grant; Kirkpatrick, Holly (January 2, 2024). "Christopher Scanlon elected as next Buffalo Common Council president". WBFO. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  3. ^ McCarthy, Robert J. (November 14, 2021). "Analysis: And in this corner, Chris Scanlon". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  4. ^ Simone, Alex; Harris, Jamal Jr. (October 15, 2024). "Byron Brown officially out as mayor; Scanlon in". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  5. ^ Mirand, Kristen (February 24, 2025). "'It was just a farce': Buffalo mayoral endorsement process draws criticism as Erie Co. Dems back Sen. Ryan". WKBW-TV. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c Benson, Nate (February 21, 2025). "Early Democratic endorsement for mayor causes stir among candidates, committee members". WGRZ. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  7. ^ Plants, Ron (March 4, 2025). "Focus on dual roles for Erie Co. Democratic Party Chief/Elections Commissioner". WGRZ. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  8. ^ Clausell, Alissa (February 22, 2025). "Candidates challenge Erie County Democrats' process". WGRZ. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  9. ^ Sondel, Justin (April 29, 2025). "Michael Gainer knocked out of Democratic primary in Buffalo mayoral race". The Buffalo News. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  10. ^ Sondel, Justin (May 18, 2025). "In race for Buffalo mayor, candidates differ on question of police oversight". The Buffalo News. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  11. ^ a b c Sondel, Justin (May 28, 2025). "Three Buffalo mayoral candidates qualify for independent party lines". The Buffalo News. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c d e Sondel, Justin (June 25, 2025). "Garnell Whitfield is knocked off ballot in race for Buffalo mayor; has until Friday to appeal". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Preval, Jeff (June 20, 2025), "Fact-checking attack ads in Buffalo Mayor's race", WIVB-TV, retrieved June 24, 2025
  14. ^ Benson, Nate (June 24, 2025). "State Senator Sean Ryan triumphs in Buffalo primary". WGRZ. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  15. ^ Kelly, Geoff (June 24, 2025). "Sean Ryan wins Buffalo mayoral primary". Investigative Post. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  16. ^ Fink, Jim (June 24, 2025). "Early voting turnout for Buffalo mayoral primary more than doubles 2021". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  17. ^ a b c Zunner, Ryan (June 27, 2025). "Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon removes himself from November ballot, ending campaign". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  18. ^ Skoog, Katie (November 23, 2024). "State Senator Sean Ryan announces run for Buffalo mayor". WIVB-TV. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  19. ^ Sondel, Justin (January 22, 2025). "Scanlon officially joins mayor's race in Buffalo". The Buffalo News. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
  20. ^ Ruberto, Toni (March 29, 2025). "Anthony Tyson-Thompson becomes 11th candidate for Buffalo mayor". The Buffalo News. Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  21. ^ Williams, Deidre (December 3, 2024). "Former Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield enters campaign for Buffalo mayor". The Buffalo News. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  22. ^ Sondel, Justin (December 9, 2024). "And then there were 3: Council Member Rasheed Wyatt enters Buffalo mayor's race". The Buffalo News. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  23. ^ "Gainer removed from Democratic primary ballot in Buffalo mayoral race". Spectrum News. April 28, 2025. Retrieved April 29, 2025.
  24. ^ a b Sondel, Justin (April 3, 2025). "At least seven candidates for Buffalo mayor pass initial hurdle to be on the ballot". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  25. ^ Mirand, Kristen (February 17, 2025). "Buffalo mayoral candidate drops out of race as ECDC prepares for endorsement". WKBW-TV. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  26. ^ Sondel, Justin (April 7, 2025). "James Payne drops out of Buffalo mayor's race". The Buffalo News. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  27. ^ Nir, David; Singer, Jeff (December 9, 2024). "Morning Digest: We preview three of next year's top races for mayor". The Downballot. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
  28. ^ a b c Sondel, Justin (February 22, 2025). "Sean Ryan is endorsed for Buffalo mayor by Democrats". The Buffalo News. Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  29. ^ "Working Families Party endorses state Sen. Sean Ryan in Buffalo mayoral race". Spectrum News 1 Buffalo. March 19, 2025. Retrieved May 28, 2025.
  30. ^ a b c Joly, Aidan (June 3, 2025). "Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz endorses Sean Ryan for Buffalo mayor". WIVB-TV. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  31. ^ Benson, Nate (June 19, 2025). "Campaign rhetoric ramps up; state lawmakers make Buffalo mayor endorsements". WGRZ. Retrieved June 20, 2025.
  32. ^ a b "College Democrats of New York and College Democrats of America Endorse Sean Ryan for Mayor of Buffalo". College Democrats of New York. April 5, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  33. ^ "Stonewall Democrats endorse Sean Ryan in Buffalo mayoral race". Spectrum News. June 5, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Endorsements". Sean Ryan for Buffalo Mayor. February 5, 2025. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
  35. ^ Fink, Jim (April 25, 2025). "Why the BTF backing 'touches' Sean Ryan's heart". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  36. ^ "NYSNA 2025 Endorsements". New York State Nurses Association. March 19, 2025. Retrieved May 16, 2025.
  37. ^ a b c Kirkpatrick, Holly (April 23, 2025). "Buffalo's police and fire unions endorse Chris Scanlon for Buffalo mayor". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  38. ^ Scull Jr., Harry (June 22, 2025). "The Editorial Board: In a high-quality field of contenders for Buffalo mayor, Sean Ryan stands out". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  39. ^ Sondel, Justin (June 16, 2025). "Buffalo's mayoral candidates go on the offensive as primary day nears". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Endorsements". Christoper P. Scanlon. June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 19, 2025.
  41. ^ Benson, Nate (December 17, 2024). "Carl Paladino endorses Chris Scanlon for Mayor of Buffalo". WGRZ. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
  42. ^ a b c d "Scanlon touts mayoral support from Western N.Y. law enforcement unions". Spectrum News. June 4, 2025. Retrieved June 5, 2025.
  43. ^ Gavin, Robert (February 26, 2025). "Hochul says she won't endorse a candidate for Buffalo mayor". The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  44. ^ Hunter-Gasperini, Kayleigh (June 4, 2025). "In case you missed it: Big takeaways from News 4's Democratic mayoral debate". WIVB-TV. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  45. ^ "Buffalo Democratic mayoral candidates discuss city finances at Tuesday debate". Spectrum News. June 17, 2025. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  46. ^ Whalen, Ryan (December 5, 2024). "Democratic Committee interviews prospective Buffalo mayor candidates". Spectrum News. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  47. ^ "Erie County Democratic Committee hosts mayoral forum". Spectrum News. January 25, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  48. ^ Castro de la Mata, Althea (February 19, 2025). "Erie County Democratic Committee hosts final Buffalo mayoral convention". WKBW-TV. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  49. ^ "Buffalo mayoral hopefuls hold town hall to hear community issues". Spectrum News. March 6, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  50. ^ "RSVP to our virtual Buffalo Mayoral Candidate Forum on the Environment". EveryAction. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  51. ^ "Candidates Pledge Honesty and Transparency. Declare They Would Not Deceive Their Constituents, and Would Be People-Oriented". Challenger Community News. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  52. ^ Harris Jr., Jamal (May 31, 2025). "Buffalo mayoral candidates share their vision for the arts". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved June 3, 2025.
  53. ^ NYIC (May 30, 2025). "Register to join us at the Buffalo New Americans Mayoral Forum!". Instagram. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
  54. ^ Kassahun, Pheben (June 5, 2025). "A Community Conversation: Buffalo mayoral candidates speak at forum on addressing food insecurity". WKBW-TV. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  55. ^ "City budget key topic as Buffalo mayoral candidates debate at public forum". Spectrum News. June 6, 2025. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  56. ^ Watkins, Emyle (June 13, 2025). "What Buffalo mayoral primary candidates said about showing up for disabled people". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved June 13, 2025.
  57. ^ "2025 Buffalo Mayoral Election Forum". Black Rock Riverside Alliance. May 21, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  58. ^ Sondel, Justin (June 17, 2025). "Ryan and Scanlon continue to bring in big money ahead of Democratic primary". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  59. ^ "Buffalo Mayor Democratic Primary – Race Results". Decision Desk HQ. July 26, 2025. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
  60. ^ Kelly, Geoff (April 14, 2025). "Granville update, plus other Monday morning reads". Investigative Post. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  61. ^ WBEN (June 25, 2025). "James Gardner, GOP nominee for Buffalo Mayor says he is "in it to win it"". Audacy. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  62. ^ Kruly, Ken (July 1, 2025). "The race for mayor of Buffalo – Part II". Buffalo Rising. Retrieved July 1, 2025.
  63. ^ a b Greber, Dave (February 27, 2025). "Gardner endorsed by Republicans for mayor". WIVB-TV. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  64. ^ a b c d Whalen, Ryan (March 19, 2025). "Working Families Party endorses state Sen. Sean Ryan in Buffalo mayoral race". Spectrum News. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  65. ^ Harris, Jamal Jr. (May 31, 2025). "Candidate Conversations: Buffalo Mayoral Primary with State Sen. Sean Ryan". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  66. ^ Sondel, Justin (February 27, 2025). "James Gardner enters chaotic race for mayor with Republican support". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  67. ^ Besecker, Aaron (January 22, 2025). "Republican DA candidate leaves court job for private practice". The Buffalo News. Retrieved June 25, 2025.
  68. ^ Kelly, Geoff (December 23, 2024). "Scanlon campaign violated ethics laws". Investigative Post. Retrieved June 12, 2025. Another candidate, emergency preparedness consultant Ryan Caughill, began tweeting his intention to run as an independent candidate in July. Last week he bowed out of the race and said he was supporting Whitfield.
  69. ^ a b Sondel, Justin (March 2, 2025). "Democrats rule Buffalo politics, but other party lines may be crucial in mayor's race". The Buffalo News. Retrieved March 2, 2025.
  70. ^ a b Sondel, Justin (July 6, 2025). "With primary for Buffalo mayor settled, candidates look toward the fall". The Buffalo News. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  71. ^ a b Zunner, Ryan (July 9, 2025). "Gardner ramps up Buffalo mayoral campaign, targets Ryan". Buffalo Toronto Public Media. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  72. ^ a b Mirand, Kristen (July 9, 2025). "GOP candidate James Gardner criticizes Sean Ryan in Buffalo Mayoral Race". WKBW-TV. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
[edit]
Official campaign websites
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