Sean Ryan Campaign Releases Statement On Latest Financials

Sean Ryan

BUFFALO – Today, May 28, 2025, Sean Ryan’s campaign for Mayor of Buffalo released the following statement in response to the latest finance filing:

“The Sean Ryan for Buffalo campaign has raised nearly $400,000 from 596 donors between January 14 and May 19 — a powerful, people-powered show of support that reflects the growing momentum behind Sean Ryan’s vision for a Better Buffalo.

“This campaign is fueled by the working class — by small dollar donors, frontline workers, and tens of thousands of hard working people that make up 21 labor unions that have proudly endorsed Sean Ryan. From every corner of the city, Buffalonians are uniting around a campaign that’s focused on fixing the basics, creating housing for everyone, and restoring accountability at City Hall — not a campaign controlled by the old guard and well connected.

“Despite seeking the Democratic nomination, Chris Scanlon has taken hundreds of thousands of dollars from registered Republicans and Conservatives since launching his campaign for mayor. He has raised over $100,000 from registered Republicans and Conservatives in this May filing alone, accounting for over a quarter of his campaign contributions that can be attributed to individual donors. His May campaign finance filing makes it clear: Scanlon’s campaign continues to be bankrolled by not only Republican donors like Chris Jacobs and Dennis Vacco, but also wealthy developers and MAGA extremists like Carl Paladino — people who genuinely don’t believe Buffalo deserves better.

“Even more troubling, a concerning number of city contractors are pouring money into Scanlon’s campaign — a clear sign he’s playing from the same old political playbook that has held Buffalo back for decades. It’s the kind of pay-to play politics that erodes public trust and raises serious questions about who will benefit from a Scanlon administration — the people of Buffalo, or the insiders cutting checks to his campaign.

“It’s the same crowd he’s catered to throughout his time on the Common Council, where he’s pushed tax breaks for big developers and prioritized special interests over working families. And now, as Acting Mayor, he’s running his campaign the same way he’s governed — siding with powerful interests like Benderson Development — whose CEO is a top Scanlon donor — backing their decision to move out of Buffalo instead of fighting to keep jobs and investment here. This isn’t just about who’s funding his campaign — it’s about who he’s fighting for. And it’s not the people of Buffalo.

“Buffalo is ready for something better. Sean Ryan is offering real leadership and a vision for the City of Buffalo — rooted in imagining a new Buffalo where we fix the basics, but take on the big, longstanding challenges to improve every neighborhood in this city. This campaign for Mayor belongs to the people — and that’s exactly how Sean Ryan will lead as Buffalo’s next Mayor.”