Politics in Buffalo is rarely quiet, but the last couple of years have been a literal whirlwind. If you’ve been following the local headlines, one name keeps popping up: Chris Scanlon. He’s the South Buffalo kid who suddenly found himself holding the keys to the second-floor office at City Hall.
But honestly, the "acting mayor" tag doesn't even begin to cover the complexity of how he got there or where he is now in early 2026.
For a solid 14 months, Chris Scanlon was the guy steering the ship after Byron Brown—Buffalo's longest-serving mayor—decided to swap the Mayor's office for a CEO gig at Western Regional Off-Track Betting. It was a massive shift. People were used to Brown. He’d been there since 2006. Then, almost overnight, Scanlon was the face of the city.
He didn't just stumble into the job, though. He was the President of the Buffalo Common Council, which meant he was next in line.
The South Buffalo Roots and "Scanoots" Legacy
You can’t talk about Chris Scanlon without talking about South Buffalo. It’s in his DNA. He grew up as one of seven children in a household where politics wasn't just a career; it was the family business. His father, the late John P. "Scanoots" Scanlon, was a legendary figure in the local Democratic machine.
Scanoots was the guy who knew everyone. He was an aide to Mayors Jimmy Griffin and Tony Masiello. Basically, he was the glue for the South Buffalo political engine.
Chris grew up watching how deals were made. He went to St. Thomas Aquinas and Bishop Timon–St. Jude. He worked at UPS and managed local bars like Colter Bay in Allentown before getting his start in the Common Council in 2012.
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Some people called his initial appointment "patronage." They pointed to his father’s connections. But Scanlon ended up winning three re-elections without anyone even running against him. That says something about his grip on the South District.
What Really Happened During the Mayoral Transition
When Byron Brown resigned in October 2024, the City Charter was very clear: Scanlon was up. He became the 63rd Mayor of Buffalo, albeit with the "Acting" title.
He didn't just sit there and wait for the clock to run out. Scanlon tried to make the role his own. He pushed for things like:
- Exploring a city-run ambulance service to replace private contracts.
- Increasing funding for police and fire department equipment.
- Funding small business grants through programs like the "SoBuf Biz Grant."
He was always a reliable ally to the unions. That’s been his bread and butter. If the police or fire departments needed something, Scanlon was usually the one making sure it happened.
But the 2025 election changed everything. Scanlon wanted the job permanently. He ran in the Democratic primary, but he was up against a heavy hitter: State Senator Sean Ryan.
It was a bruising primary. Ryan’s team went after Scanlon’s ties to conservative donors like Carl Paladino. Scanlon hit back, calling Ryan too progressive. In the end, Ryan won the primary with about 46% of the vote. Scanlon pulled around 35%.
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Life After the Mayor’s Office
A lot of people wondered if Scanlon would try to run as an independent in the general election. He didn't. He took the loss, finished out the term with class, and made it clear he was heading back to his old job.
As of January 2026, Sean Ryan is the Mayor of Buffalo.
Chris Scanlon? He’s back where he started, serving as the South District Council Member and the President of the Common Council. It’s a bit of a "full circle" moment. He’s no longer the guy in the biggest chair, but as Council President, he still holds a massive amount of power over the city’s budget and legislation.
The Massive Budget Deficit Looming Over 2026
The honeymoon period for the new administration ended pretty fast. Just weeks into 2026, City Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams dropped a bombshell. She projected a budget gap that could be anywhere between $40 million and $80 million by this summer.
There's some finger-pointing going on. Scanlon’s team had projected a much smaller gap—around $2.2 million. Now, the new administration has to figure out how to bridge that massive chasm without raising taxes into the stratosphere.
Scanlon is now in the position of being the legislative check on Mayor Ryan. It’s a weird dynamic. The guy who was just the mayor is now the guy who has to approve the current mayor’s plan to fix the money problems.
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Why Chris Scanlon Still Matters to Buffalo
You might think that losing a mayoral race makes someone a "lame duck," but in Buffalo, that’s rarely the case. Scanlon is only in his early 40s. He’s got decades of political capital stored up.
He still represents South Buffalo, a voting bloc that is incredibly loyal and active. If you want to get anything done in this city, you still have to go through the Common Council, and that means you still have to deal with Chris Scanlon.
He’s also finishing up a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Buffalo State. He’s clearly not planning on retiring to a quiet life anytime soon.
Actionable Takeaways for Buffalo Residents
If you live in Buffalo, the "Scanlon era" didn't end when he left the mayor's office. Here is how his current role affects you:
- Watch the Common Council Meetings: As President, Scanlon sets the agenda. If you care about your neighborhood's trash pickup, snow removal, or police presence, these meetings are where the real decisions happen.
- Keep an Eye on the Budget: The $80 million deficit is going to lead to some tough choices. Scanlon’s role in negotiating this with Mayor Ryan will determine if your property taxes go up.
- South District Residents: You still have a direct line to the guy who was just running the whole city. If you have a problem on your street, use that. He still maintains his district office at Niagara Square.
- Small Business Owners: Look into the grant programs Scanlon championed during his time as Acting Mayor. Many of these programs are still active or being integrated into the new budget.
The story of Chris Scanlon Buffalo NY isn't a "rise and fall" tale. It's more of a "pivot." He’s a survivor in a city where politics is a blood sport. Whether you love his "old school" approach or wish for something more progressive, there is no denying he remains one of the most influential people in Western New York.