Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown resigns from office

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown officially resigned on Tuesday, after he accepted a new position as CEO and president of Western Regional Off-Track Betting. The full press conference can be viewed at the bottom of this page.

Brown announced his resignation late last month, saying the timing was right and that he looked forward to serving multiple New York counties with OTB. He served Buffalo for over 18 years, which makes him the longest-serving mayor of the city. He was also the city’s first African-American mayor.

Looking back: Biggest moments in Byron Brown’s tenure as Buffalo mayor

Brown resigned following his fifth term as mayor. Common Council President Chris Scanlon will take over, serving as acting mayor until the next mayoral election in 2025.

The outgoing mayor attributed his resignation to wanting to spend more time raising his great niece and great nephew. Additionally, Brown said two of his staffers will be joining him at Western Regional OTB, but said he won’t be announcing who they are until he starts in his new position.

In a resignation letter released Tuesday, Brown thanked the people of Buffalo, including those in government, first responders, business owners and volunteers, to name a few.

“Buffalo is a community that gets things done,” said Brown. “And as the longest serving mayor of Buffalo, I’m very proud of what we have accomplished. I’ll always be most appreciative for our City’s collaborative spirit and incredible resilience during our highest highs and lowest lows.”

Visit WIVB.com for continued coverage of Brown’s announcement Tuesday morning.

Brown also took part in one final media Q&A following his resignation. Footage of the Q&A can be seen below.

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Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University.

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