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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo mayoral candidate Sean Ryan has picked up another important endorsement.
The Western New York chapter of the Working Families Party, after interviewing five candidates, has endorsed the current state senator in the Democratic primary. The party previously supported Ryan in both state Senate and Assembly campaigns and said his work in the state Legislature, especially with regards to affordable housing, was a key factor in the decision.
"We felt like he was best positioned to not only bring resources to Buffalo to fix a looming budget crisis that’s coming over but also to lead Buffalo to the future," WNY Chapter Chairperson Tom Roulley said.
Last month, the Erie County Democratic Committee endorsed Ryan, as well. The candidate said he has also picked up key union support and is building a strong coalition.
"The Working Families is part of a coalition that believes in good-paying jobs, strong schools and affordable housing so, happy to have received their endorsement," he said.
There is expected to be a competitive Democratic primary this June with multiple candidates collecting petitions to get on the ballot. That includes all four finalists for the ECDC endorsement: Ryan, acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon, current Common Councilmember Rasheed Wyatt and former Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield.
Ryan said the Working Families Party will be involved in his ground game.
"I view the Working Families Party as very important to the Democratic primary," Ryan said. "Their members will be out. They’ll be organizing and it also sends a message that my campaign is about issues that are affecting working people. We don’t want a Buffalo where working people can just survive. We want a Buffalo where working people can thrive."
The Working Families Party is also collecting petitions in order for Ryan to appear on the party line during the general election. It could maneuver to remove him from that line if he does not win the Democratic primary.
"That would be up to our committee. We would all get together and we would obviously discuss that and look at all the pros and cons of both situations," Roulley said.
The chair acknowledged the Working Families Party does not like to play spoiler to Democratic candidates in general elections. The Buffalo race, however, is a bit of an unusual situation.
The Erie County Republican Committee has endorsed attorney James Gardner as its candidate but the GOP has an extreme enrollment disadvantage in the city. Still, a Democratic primary victory has not guaranteed election.
Just four years ago, incumbent Byron Brown lost the primary to India Walton but won with a write-in campaign during the general election.
