BUFFALO, N.Y. — If Buffalo's mayor steps down, the Buffalo Common Council President steps into the roll for the rest of his term.
2 On Your Side talked with Buffalo Common Council president and South District representative Christopher Scanlon on Thursday about what happens next in city government.
If Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown steps down in the middle of his historic fifth term, Common Council President Christopher Scanlon becomes acting Mayor. It's a role he says he's ready for.
"I've spent 12 years on the Council now, nine years in leadership, and I think my record of service is one of leadership where we really kind of tried to focus on collaboration, and communication, and transparency, and moving forward. If I assume the role of Mayor, that won't fall by the wayside, we'll double down on that, and make sure we're operating like that," Scanlon said.
As far as his South District seat, the Common Council is still trying to figure out if that position would be filled for the rest of the current term.
"I can assure the residents of South Buffalo, who are the ones that elected me to office, that those responsibilities to this office will not fall by the wayside. I know there will be increased responsibilities as far as representing everyone across the City of Buffalo," Scanlon said.
As acting Mayor, Scanlon would fill out the rest of Brown's term which goes until Jan. 1, 2026. There's also a primary this June to see who could become mayor after that. Scanlon has not said yet whether he's running.
Here's his response on Thursday when we asked him about that.
"If this transition takes place, there's going to be a lot that we have to deal with right away, you know, we have to be ready to hit the ground running on day one to deal with challenges that face the City of Buffalo. They're challenges that I'm excited to address. I view them more as an opportunity to take Buffalo to the next level, and when we get to that point early next year, I'd make a determination. My team around me would make a determination, but certainly something we'll look at," Scanlon said.
We could find out more at the next Common Council meeting. It is on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. at City Hall.