Christopher P. Scanlon (born August 6,1981) is an American politician and the current acting mayor of Buffalo,New York. He became Buffalo's 63rd mayor,having served since October 15,2024,succeeding Byron Brown.
Scanlon ran in the 2025 Buffalo mayoral election and lost the Democratic primary,and will serve the remainder of Brown's term before returning to his vacant common council seat and the council presidency.
Early life and education
Christopher Scanlon was born to father John P. "Scanoots" Scanlon (1938–2022) and mother Paula Scanlon (née Kuntz).[1]
His family is of Irish descent,and he was raised in South Buffalo.[4] Scanlon attended grade school at the local St. Thomas Aquinas Church.[5] His six siblings also attended private school.[2]
Scanlon was appointed to the Buffalo Common Council in May 2012,filling the South District seat vacated by Michael P. Kearns who had left to join the New York State Assembly.[8] His appointment was attributed to patronage due to his father's political connections,as he lacked a four-year college degree and relevant experience.[3][9] Scanlon had to that point worked as a manager for UPS and a local restaurant chain.[10] The appointment was confirmed with a 5–3 vote by the council.[8] Scanlon was later criticized for failing to disclose a 2007 conviction for driving while ability-impaired prior to the appointment.[11]
After his re-election following another uncontested race in 2023,Scanlon was elected President of the Buffalo Common Council in January 2024 with a 8–1 council vote.[16]
Upon the resignation of Byron Brown,Scanlon succeeded him to become acting Mayor of Buffalo in October 2024.[19] After his unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination for mayor,Scanlon dropped out of the 2025 Buffalo mayoral election.[20] Scanlon also announced he would serve the remainder of Brown's term and then return to serving as Buffalo Common Council president.[21][22][23]
Personal life
When you grow up in a household involved in all those previous campaigns, if nothing else, you learn by osmosis.[18]
—Christopher Scanlon
He is married to his wife Katie Scanlon (née Wopperer) and they have three children.[6] Katie works as Bingo Inspector for the City of Buffalo.[24][25] Scanlon is Catholic.[5]
Five of his six siblings work for the City of Buffalo.[24] His brothers Brian and Patrick work for the Buffalo Fire Department, and his brothers Michael and John work for the Department of Public Works. Brian is also a restaurateur, owning Forty Thieves Kitchen & Bar in downtown Buffalo.[26] Scanlon's sister Kara works for the Buffalo Police Department.[24] Lastly, his brother Mark worked as a sergeant for the Erie County Sheriff's Office before dying in a November 2024 hunting accident.[27]
↑ Scanlon, Christopher (August 8, 2012). "About Chris". Christopher P. Scanlon. Archived from the original on August 8, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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