South District Council Member Christopher P. Scanlon appears to have the votes to be the next president of Buffalo’s Common Council.
Multiple political observers told The Buffalo News in recent days that Scanlon had persuaded a majority of his colleagues that he should succeed outgoing Council President Darius G. Pridgen when Pridgen’s term ends Jan. 1. The news was first reported by WKBW-TV.
In addition, The News obtained an invitation for a swearing-in ceremony being held Tuesday in City Hall honoring Scanlon’s elevation to the post. Scanlon did not respond to a request for comment, but he told The News this summer that he was interested in the post.
Scanlon, who now serves as president pro tempore of the Council, appears to have edged out Fillmore District Council Member Mitch Nowakowski, who has announced plans to run for State Senate, and Niagara Council Member David Rivera.
Scanlon, whose father was an aide to former Mayor James D. Griffin, is generally supportive of Brown and delivered vote-rich South Buffalo for the mayor in his defeat of India Walton in the 2021 mayor’s race.
Along with Council Members Joe Golombek of North and Ulysees Wingo of Masten, Scanlon over the last few years often voted in favor of administration policies.
Scanlon has also demonstrated some independence at times, especially when it involved police officers, firefighters and city employees, many who live in South Buffalo. He often draws the ire of left-leaning activists for his strident support of the police.
In July, Scanlon, 41, said he wouldn’t say no if his fellow Council…
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