BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown will resign from his position leading the city to become Western Regional Off-Track Betting's next president and CEO, he announced Monday in a press conference. His resignation will be effective sometime in October, WIVB News 4 has learned.
Last week, WROTB approved a three-year contract for Brown after members voted to offer him the position earlier this month.
Brown said his decision to resign was not easy, but felt the "time was right" to take up a different role.
"I'm proud of how far we've come since I first took office as mayor," Brown said. "Our community is now experiencing a wave of investment and confidence like never before."
He then spoke about the city seeing its first population increase in 70 years, having the most diverse workforce in its history, and reaching record development.
To officially accept the job with WROTB, Brown must obtain a gaming license from New York State. WROTB chairman Dennis Bassett said they hoped that the process could be sped up so Brown could obtain the license as early as this week. He appears to have gotten his wish.
As of Monday, the Gaming Commission's website now lists Brown on its page of racing licenses. His occupation is listed as "Track Mgt." His license expires on Sept. 25, 2025 and is expected to be renewed annually.
The approved contract Brown calls for a salary of $295,000 on an annual basis, with incentives for a second and third year.
Buffalo Common Council president Chris Scanlon, who represents the South Park, Hopkins-Tifft and Seneca-Cazenovia neighborhoods in South Buffalo, will become acting mayor until a general election in November 2025.
As for who's currently eyeing the position, sources told News 4 back in September that former City of Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield plans to run for mayor.
News 4 reached out to former mayoral candidate India Walton, who won the Democratic primary election in 2021. She said she won't be on the ballot next fall.
"I don't feel like there's a mandate from the community for me to run for office," Walton said. "I think that people appreciate the work that I've been doing behind the scenes. I've been working on full systems and policy work and civic engagement, and I'm happy doing that."
With Scanlon taking office as acting mayor, Brown said Buffalo's future "will be in good hands." Scanlon said he's ready to lead the city in Monday's press conference.
"I could not be more humbled or more honored to lead the City of Buffalo, a city that I love so dearly, a city in which my wife and I chose to raise our family in," he said. "I want every resident in every corner in this city to rest assured knowing that we will work every day to ensure that you are well served and well represented."
When asked about some of his priorities for the city, Scanlon mentioned affordable housing, public safety, good schools and the health and wellbeing of Buffalo residents.
Brown, 66, is the longest-serving mayor in the City of Buffalo’s history. First taking office in January 2006, he will step down in the midst of his fifth term. He will succeed current WROTB President Henry Wojtaszek, who recently accepted a six-figure buyout from the board and will retire on Dec. 31.
Watch WIVB News 4's Ask the Mayor interview from Monday with Jacquie Walker and Don Postles in the video player below.
Aidan Joly joined the News 4 staff in 2022. He is a graduate of Canisius College. You can see more of his work here.
Patrick Ryan is an award-winning reporter who has been part of the News 4 team since 2020. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.
Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter.
