Buffalo’s police and fire unions have endorsed Chris Scanlon for Buffalo Mayor.
Scanlon, who is currently the city’s acting mayor, has long been supported by both unions in the form of campaign donations for common council in his 12 years as South District representative.
Buffalo Police Benevolent Association President, John Davidson, said despite the past rocky relationship between the city and the union, right now they are “getting along.”
"The members of the PBA, they truly love the city of Buffalo, the residents," Davidson said. "We want to help the city of Buffalo, we want to be a positive influence in the city of Buffalo and we believe that Chris Scanlon embodies all of that.”
He added that Scanlon was the only mayoral candidate that sought the PBA's endorsement.
Buffalo Professional Firefighters Local 282 President, Chris Whelan, said it was Scanlon’s history of support for the fire department in his time as a common councilmember that swayed the union’s executive board.
"In particular after the blizzard of '22, when he really stood up and made sure we had the rigs and equipment we really need to overcome an event like that," he said.
Scanlon, who has two brothers in the Buffalo Fire Department, said: "Public safety is one of my top priorities as mayor. If we are not keeping people safe, it is very difficult to do anything else, and these are the men and women of these unions who make that a possibility."
Scanlon's campaign event announcing the endorsements was held during a lunchbreak from his job as acting mayor, according to his city spokesperson.
Fellow mayoral candidate Sean Ryan announced Wednesday he has been endorsed by the PBA of New York State which represents Forest Rangers, Park, University and Environmental Conservation police.
