Buffalo voters Tuesday decided to send new leadership to City Hall, marking a generational shift for Western New York Democrats as they grapple with a multimillion-dollar budget deficit.

State Sen. Sean Ryan, who's represented Buffalonians in Albany for more than a decade, overcame a five-way primary challenge with 46.5% of the vote, netting more than a 10-point lead over Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon.

The Erie County Democratic Committee endorsed Ryan as Buffalo faces a $70 million to $90 million budget deficit, an insufficient supply of affordable housing, crumbling infrastructure and a high rate of lead poisoning.

"If you live in Buffalo, we're all sharing the same problems," Ryan told reporters Tuesday night.

Scanlon was emotional after receiving just over 35% of voters' support.

"It was a lot of work and the most humbling experience of my life to have the type of support that the campaign has had until this point," he said to supporters during a concession speech. 

But the contest isn't over.

Scanlon's supporters hope he'll continue his campaign and keep the independent ballot line he created called the Good Neighbors Party for November.

Shouts of "It's not over!" interrupted Scanlon's speech.

The acting mayor declined to discuss his plans for November and if he'll continue his campaign. 

Less than 24 hours after losing the primary by more than 10,000 votes, candidate Garnell Whitfield's independent line was removed from the November ballot after Scanlon challenged its legitimacy.

Candidates have until Friday to change their mind and remove themselves from the ballot.

Scanlon called Ryan to congratulate him on his victory as Ryan's election party swelled with excitement with the promise to make the Queen City a better place.

"That's who Sean Ryan is — he changes lives and he's going to change this city," said Sen. April Baskin, D-Buffalo, who is close friends with Ryan.

Several young people threw their support behind Ryan, arguing his plans to improve the city's fiscal health will better serve the future of Buffalo than Scanlon's current budget.

A Buffalo State University student studying economics and finance said he voted for Ryan because he's willing to change the status quo, and has the experience to do it.

"Look no further than the potholes or the enormous amount of cases of lead poisoning or the swimming pools or city and community centers that are not operational," said Egor Roussanov, a rising junior. "The only way to deal with that is to have the funds to do it."

Ryan vowed he'll change the power structure in City Hall and ensure the Buffalo Common Council works together, and not for, the mayor's office.

But the senator added Buffalonians need to unite to get it done.

"It's going to be a tough few years, but I'm confident that, if you're straightforward and honest with the people of Buffalo, tell them what the plan is, they're going to join in," Ryan said. "Because that's what we do in Buffalo. We all come together."