Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Who could be running for the Mayor of Buffalo next year if Byron Brown leaves office to become the next president and CEO of Western Regional OTB?
One possible candidate is Buffalo Common Council President Chris Scanlon, who would take over as Acting Mayor if Brown steps down. He hasn't clarified if he'd be running in the election, but does believe he is the right person for the job.
Related
"My experience serving as a Council Member for the past 12 years, nine of those in a leadership role, has me well prepared to tackle the challenges that lie ahead with a new vision and fresh ideas to lead Buffalo into the future," Scanlon said in a statement. "As a lifelong resident and father of three, raising my family in the city we all love, should I be appointed mayor I will be steadfast in my duties serving all residents of the city."
Political analyst Ken Kruly says it's still too early to say who exactly would be running come next November, but there have been some other names that have been thrown around.
"One name frequently mentioned is State Sen. Sean Ryan. In addition to that, a couple of the members of the Council, Councilwoman [Leah] Halton-Pope, Councilwoman [Zeneta] Everhart, names have been mentioned," said Kruly in an interview with WBEN. "The former Fire Commissioner [Garnell Whitfield] has been mentioned."
Another candidate could be Erie County Clerk Michael Kearns. Although he hasn't expressed his interest in running, he did say he's doing everything a good candidate should be doing if they want to win.
"You have to make an effort to meet with people," Kearns said. "I run on the Democratic line, I run on the Republican line, and I get a lot of Democrats that vote for me, because I go out and I meet with the people. I shake their hand, and you talk about the issues. The issues are there for a different type of mayor, and especially someone that has experience."