Latest filing shows big money flowing into race for Buffalo mayor


 

The 32-day campaign finance reports were filed with the NYS Board of Elections last week, and it shows big money flowing into the race for Buffalo mayor.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — As the calendar inches towards the June 24 primary for Buffalo mayor, the financial picture for the candidates running is becoming clearer. 

In the filing January 12-May 19 reporting period, four out of the five candidates that secured spots on the ballot filed a financial report. 

  • Chris Scanlon – $490,449.27
  • Garnell Whitfield Jr. – $42,255.00
  • Rasheed N.C. Wyatt – $13,450.00

Sean Ryan also posted substantial contributions, but his filing requires additional context. 

Ryan reported that he received $744,450.88 during the filing period. However, $300,000 of that was a transfer from his NYS Senate campaign account to his mayoral account. 

Putting that aside, Senator Ryan received $444,450.88 individual contributions during the filing period. 

Even though Anthony Tyson-Thompson, a former staffer for NYS Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, secured enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot, he did not file a campaign finance report. 

In terms of cash on hand, Scanlon’s campaign reported $666,735 and Ryan’s camp reported $136,615.

In regards to acting Mayor Chris Scanlon’s top donors are developers, the Buffalo Police union, and various political action committees. 

  • 43×79 PAC – $5,144
  • Buffalo PBA PAC – $5,000
  • D&H Paving LLC – $5,000
  • Denise Lee – $5,000
  • Fair Pac – $5,000
  • Gary Hill – $5,000
  • Kyle Ciminelli – $5,000
  • Michael Salvadore – $5,000
  • Michael Vaccaro – $5,000
  • Municipal Pipe Co, LLC – $5,000
  • Patricia Sullivan – $5,000
  • Southland Racing Corporation (Delaware North) – $5,000
  • Thomas Saia – $5,000
  • Viscone Co. Site Development LLC – $5,000
  • Benathan Upshaw – $4,000
  • Christopher Hogan – $4,000
  • RP Oak Hill Building Company Inc. – $4,000
  • Thomas H. Burton – $4,000

During the filing period, acting Mayor Scanlon received 1,646 contributions, averaging $297 each. 

Among the contributors are current police and fire commissioners Alphonso Wright and William Renaldo. 

Commissioner Wright donated $879, and Commissioner Renaldo contributed  $2,750.

Finance Commissioner for the city, Raymond Nosworthy, contributed $605 during the filing period. 

Additionally, Corporation Counsel Cavette Chambers donated $530. 

As for Senator Sean Ryan, aside from the $300,000 contribution to himself, his largest contributors were labor unions, along with various PAC’s.

  • International Union of Operating Engineers – $12,500
  • Sean Cooney – $10,000
  • CWA District 1 PAC – $7,500
  • John Bair – $7,000
  • NASRCC Political Education Committee – $5,300
  • UA Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 22 PAC -$5,297
  • Carl Dennis – $5,297
  • 43×79 PAC – $5,144
  • Whitney Crispell – $5,000
  • John Fromen – $5,000
  • PVS Chemicals Inc. $5,000
  • Skoufis for NY – $5,000
  • NYS Troopers Pac – $5,000
  • USW D-4 NY – $5,000
  • CWA District 1 PAC – $5,000
  • Monica Angle – $5,000
  • Delaware North Sports Service Inc – $5,000
  • Zellner for ECDC Chair – $5,000
  • Edward Smith – $5,000
  • Stephen Foley – $5,000
  • Samuel Dolce – $5,000
  • Brent Baird – $5,000

Ryan received 645 donations during the filing period. 

Early voting for the race for Buffalo mayor begins on June 14. Primary day is set for June 24.