BUFFALO, N.Y. — 2 On Your Side has confirmed that former gubernatorial candidate, Buffalo School Board member, and developer Carl Paladino is formally endorsing Chris Scanlon for mayor.
Paladino confirmed the endorsement via text message on Tuesday afternoon saying Scanlon, "is a very capable man with the vision as well as the management skill that the position requires."
This is the first public endorsement of note for Acting Mayor Scanlon, but Scanlon hasn't formally announced he's running for mayor in 2025.
Scanlon attended the Erie County Democratic Committee forum for mayoral candidates on Dec. 5, and attended a fundraiser hosted by William Paladino Tuesday night, but still hasn't actually said he's running for mayor next year.
Scanlon has repeatedly said that he's focused on his current role of acting mayor.
Paladino was removed from his position on the Buffalo School Board in August 2017 by the New York State Education Department for several reasons, including racist remarks that he made to Artvoice in 2016 about President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
While Scanlon doesn't have an opponent, since he hasn't formally announced yet, Senator Sean Ryan is calling on the acting mayor to reject the endorsement.
In a statement to 2 On Your Side Ryan wrote:
"Carl Paladino, one of Donald Trump's biggest supporters, is getting the word out about a fundraiser tonight for Acting Mayor Scanlon, hosted by William Paladino. We all know what kind of person Carl Paladino is. He has made racist remarks about our first Black president and once praised Adolf Hitler as 'the kind of leader we need today.' He is certainly not my ally. I call on Chris Scanlon to denounce Carl Paladino and reject Paladino's support for his candidacy."
Senator Ryan rented an office space from Ellicott Development between 2011-2017.
2 On Your Side reached out to Acting Mayor Scanlon, but have not yet received a response.