Whitfield removed from November ballot for Buffalo mayor

BY Spectrum News Staff City of Buffalo

PUBLISHED 5:49 PM ET Jun. 25, 2025 PUBLISHED 5:49 PM EDT Jun. 25, 2025

Less than 24 hours after losing the Democratic primary for Buffalo mayor, Erie County Board of Elections commissioners are taking Garnell Whitfield off the November ballot.

The former Buffalo fire commissioner lost Tuesday night’s primary by more than 10,000 votes to state Sen. Sean Ryan.

He was trying to run as an independent, but there were objections to his filing.

“Obviously we did not win the night, but we won the hearts and minds of people.” Garnell Whitfield gave an emotional concession speech tonight in the Buffalo Mayoral Primary. His family chanting “still a winner.”
— Halena Sepulveda (@HalenaSepulveda) June 25, 2025

Spectrum News 1 has reached out to Whitfield, who says he’s currently processing this ruling.

If he doesn't appeal the decision, it would bring his mayoral campaign to an end.

The general election is on Nov. 4.