Buffalo Common Council member Rasheed Wyatt to announce mayoral bid

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Buffalo Common Council member Rasheed Wyatt is scheduled to announce his bid for Buffalo's next mayor on Monday.

Former Buffalo Common Council President Chris Scanlon has stepped up as acting mayor since former Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown resigned in October and became Western Regional Off-Track Betting's president and CEO. Scanlon has not yet said whether he will run in the 2025 election or not.

Wyatt, who confirmed his expected announcement to WIVB News 4 Saturday, has represented the city's University District since he was first elected in 2014.

He has been a vocal critic of both Brown and Scanlon, and was the only council member to vote against Scanlon becoming council president in January.

Wyatt previously served as the council's chief of staff and has professional experience in finance and banking, according to his biography on the city's website. He received an associate's degree in accounting from the Kensington Business Institute, a bachelor's degree in business resource development, and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Medaille College.

In his role as council member, Wyatt serves as chair of the Civil Service Committee and is a member of the Community Development, Education, Police Oversight, Budget and Waterfront Development Committees.

Back in October, Wyatt questioned where the city's $560,000 bailout to downtown's Braymiller Market went and requested the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency to give an update on what was done with the money to help the business stay open.

Scanlon has since announced the market's closure, which will happen within the next week to 10 days.

Wyatt's anticipated bid will mark the third candidate to officially announce a run for Buffalo mayor so far. State Senator Sean Ryan announced his campaign last month in a video posted to social media and former City of Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield announced his bid Tuesday.

To read more about both current and potential mayoral candidates, click here.