Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - It's not on the ballot this year, but the race for Mayor of Buffalo is rising to the forefront of local politics with the expected departure of Byron Brown from Buffalo City Hall.
Brown, the longest serving Mayor in the city's history, has been selected
to be the next President and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting (OTB).He still has to negotiate a contract, and also get a gaming license before being appointed.
Ken Kruly with PoliticsandStuff.com thinks it will be a few weeks before Brown
formally steps down.
The election for Buffalo Mayor is not until the fall of 2025, but there is already
plenty of interest in the position.
The way the charter is written in the city, Common Council President Chris Scanlon will serve as Acting Mayor through the end of next year.
Kruly expects Scanlon to be a candidate once the cycle opens up.
"He's raising money. He has over $100,000 in his account at the moment," said Kruly with WBEN.
The power of incumbency is high for Scanlon, according to Kruly, depending on how the Council deals with an approaching fiscal cliff.
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However, there is plenty of interest from others.
"I expect State Sen. Sean Ryan to get into the race. He has already indicated he's interested," Kruly noted.
Kruly also mentioned Masten District Council Member Zeneta Everhart as a possible candidate. She is in her first year on the Council. She is well-known to the community as the mother of Zaire Goodman, who was wounded in the 2022 mass shooting at the Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue.
Progressive candidate India Walton, who upset Mayor Brown in a primary in 2021 but lost the general election, is also reported to be considering another run for mayor in 2025.
Kruly says he wouldn't be surprised if one or two more candidates jump in.