Four contenders want to be next Buffalo Common Council president. They could become Buffalo’s mayor

And whoever takes over would automatically become mayor if Byron W. Brown resigns.

Brown, the city’s longest-serving mayor, is rumored to be in consideration to become the next president of SUNY Buffalo State University, which is in the midst of a secret presidential search process.

The new Council will hold its reorganizational meeting in January to select its leadership: president pro tempore, majority leader and president.

Darius G. Pridgen, who was first elected Council president in 2014, is not seeking another term to the Ellicott District seat, which he has held for the past 12 years.

Council members who have said they are interested in succeeding Pridgen as Council president include Mitch Nowakowski, David Rivera, Chris Scanlon and Rasheed Wyatt.

If Brown resigns as mayor before his term expires, the City Charter spells out what would happen:

When a mayor resigns, “such powers and duties shall devolve upon the president of the common council who shall fill the vacancy in the office of the mayor until the first day of January following the next general election at which a mayor may, pursuant to law, be elected for the balance of the term.”

The acting mayor would be on a political fast track to win election as mayor, especially in a city that historically has favored incumbents.

Brown was elected in the 2021 general election to serve an unprecedented fifth four-year term as mayor. He confirmed last month that he is enrolled in classes leading to a master’s degree, which would fulfill the reported minimal degree requirements for the next president of Buffalo State. He has also said he intends to fill out his four-year term.

Buffalo State said last month it won’t disclose the names of the semifinalists who are competing for its president’s job, and it won’t hold any…