Latest filing shows big money flowing into 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.