By: Foreign Correspondent, Lucas R. Watson
Mayor Byron Brown will step down from his position as Mayor of the City of Buffalo in the coming weeks. Common Council President Chris Scanlon, representing the city’s South District, will become the acting mayor as soon as Brown’s resignation takes effect. Scanlon’s position as the acting mayor of the City of Buffalo will be over in January 2026, and he will finish the rest of his term on the council.
Why is Byron Brown resigning despite his landmark election in 2021, despite not being the Democratic nominee for mayor or being supported by the Democratic party and winning through write-in votes over India Walton? It is because he is becoming the CEO and President of Western Region Off-Track Betting, based in Batavia, NY.
Byron Brown has not provided exact dates for when he will resign as mayor of the City of Buffalo or when he will start as president and CEO of Western Region Off-Track Betting. However, he obtained a gaming license a few weeks before his announcement. This will end his 18-year stint as mayor of Buffalo.
Byron Brown is a resident of the Masten District and lives near Canisius University. At Canisius, Byron Brown had a different reputation on campus during the 2008 “Quad Party," which occurred on the last day of classes that year. Byron Brown is reported to have called in the Buffalo Police Department, police from neighboring suburbs, CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) Unit armored vehicles, the S.W.A.T. team, a K-9 unit, a mobile command to police and Erie County Sheriff's Department with officers' guns strapped to their thighs.
According to the Investigative Post, Brown said he won’t be the only one departing City Hall. He said to “be taking several people” with him, without commenting further on who may leave with him or what jobs they will hold once they leave.
Byron Brown has left a substantial impact on the politics of Buffalo. What will come in his wake? The details are still coming out as the weeks go on, as the exact date for when Byron Brown will step down remains unknown.
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