Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - After months of speculation, New York State Sen. Sean Ryan officially launched his campaign for Mayor of Buffalo on Saturday morning. Ryan made his intentions known in a post on Instagram.
In a video posted to his account (@SeanRyanforBuffalo), Ryan stated that Buffalo residents deserve better after 20 years of neglect.
"We can’t seem to get our side streets plowed or our potholes filled. Our children are poisoned by lead," said Ryan in his announcement.
Around 300 people were at his announcement speech on Saturday, including a handful of local unions.
"Let's imagine a new Buffalo where we can do the basics, but we don't shy away from taking on the big, tough problems, a Buffalo where we do the real work to solve our problems together. That's what my campaign for mayor is all about. Buffalo faces a fiscal problem. It's not a new one. It's been brewing for 20 years. Irresponsible rubber stamped budgets have led to the situation that we face today. Basic city contracts like our ambulance services never enforced and end up costing us millions in revenue, and the city is using reserve funds our safety net because they refuse to balance their budget. We deserve better."
Ryan outlined his achievements while in office and says he is more than qualified to lead the City of Buffalo.
"I've worked to create a brighter future for housing in Buffalo, securing $90 million to build new homes, renovate, run down doubles and to prevent evictions, to keep people in their homes. We need to follow leaders like Dr. Henry Louis Taylor in his plan for rebuilding neighborhoods. Not just programs, but full projects to rebuild neighborhoods," stated Ryan. "And when a white supremacist came to Buffalo to commit one of the greatest tragedies our city has ever seen. I stood shoulder to shoulder with all of Buffalo as we grieved, but then I went back to Albany and led the charge to pass our nation's toughest gun laws to help save lives and prevent another tragedy.
Former Mayor Byron Brown stepped down in October after almost 20 years in office to take over as the president and CEO of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. Chris Scanlon, who was sworn in as President of the Buffalo Common Council in January, is serving as Acting Mayor through the end of next year.
The primary for Buffalo Mayor will be held in June, with the general election not taking place until the fall of 2025.