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]
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
Republican candidates
Candidate
Experience
Announced
Ref
James Gardner
Erie County assistant district attorney (2010–2017) Republican nominee for Erie County district attorney in 2024
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]
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]
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]
Forums
2025 Buffalo mayoral general election forums
No.
Date
Host
Moderator
Link
Participants
Key: PParticipant AAbsent NNon-invitee IInvitee W Withdrawn
↑ 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.
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