Chris Scanlon:
Paladino’s Pick for Mayor.
On June 24, Buffalo voters will choose their next mayor. One candidate, Chris Scanlon, has landed a major endorsement — but not the kind any city should be proud of.
Carl Paladino, the disgraced developer, Trump mega-donor, and racist political extremist, says Scanlon is his pick for mayor. And that tells you everything you need to know.
“I’ve known Carl Paladino a long time… and as a result, I’ve been privy to his generous side.” -Chris Scanlon, Buffalo Common Council, December 27, 2016
Who Is Carl Paladino?
Carl Paladino is infamous across New York and beyond for his long track record of racist, sexist, and homophobic behavior. Over the years, he has:
Claimed he wanted President Obama to die of mad cow disease
Referred to Michelle Obama in disgustingly racist and sexist terms
Sent vile emails mocking women, Black people, and the LGBTQ+ community
Been removed from the Buffalo School Board for his bigoted, hateful rhetoric
This is not ancient history — it’s who he is, and who he remains.
And he wants Chris Scanlon to be your mayor.
Why Is Paladino Backing Scanlon?
Chris Scanlon has been one of the Paladino’s biggest supporters on handing out tax breaks to the wealthy developer family.
Scanlon has long supported the controversial 485-a tax break—an incentive that’s been widely abused to help wealthy insiders like Carl Paladino avoid paying their fair share. Investigations have shown that Buffalo developers avoided more than $63 million in taxes through 485-a, even as the program drove up rents and subsidized high-end apartments.
Who benefited most? Carl Paladino’s Ellicott Development received the 485-a tax break on more properties than any other developer in Buffalo—16 in total—making Paladino one of the program’s biggest winners. While everyday Buffalonians were paying their taxes, Paladino and his firm cashed in.
When state leaders like Senator Sean Ryan took action to reform the program, Scanlon refused to help. He was the only member of the Buffalo Common Council to vote against a moratorium on 485-a tax breaks. Even after watchdogs like Good Jobs First and Our City Action Buffalo exposed how the program undermines fairness and transparency, Scanlon did nothing—choosing instead to protect powerful allies and politically connected developers.
And now as Acting Mayor, Scanlon is playing hide-the-ball and not releasing information on those tax breaks.
A candidate who won’t reject support from a man like Carl Paladino is sending a clear message about the kind of company he keeps — and the kind of leadership he offers.
The Paladinos & Their Companies Have Given Scanlon Over $30k Towards His Campaigns
The Paladino Family and their companies have donated over $30k of their money towards keeping Scanlon in office from individual contributions and their various LLCs.
Chris Scanlon has tried to say he hasn’t accepted one donation from Carl Paladino - which is a categorically false claim. Carl Paladino serves as the Chair of the Board to Ellicott Development to this day and leads the company.
Scanlon even pays rent for his campaign office to the Paladinos.
Carl Paladino Even Hosted and Promoted a Fundraiser for Chris Scanlon’s Mayoral Bid in December 2024
Carl Paladino’s email address is seen in the above screenshot sharing the fundraiser invitation hosted by the Paladino family.
When this news broke, Senator Sean Ryan called out this support from Carl Paladino to Chris Scanlon, and asked for Chris Scanlon to reject this support.
Quotes from Carl:
“(Hitler)’s… the kind of leader we need today. We need somebody inspirational… who aroused crowds.”
— Carl Paladino, June 2022 (AP News)
“He comes from a great gene pool.”
— Carl Paladino on Chris Scanlon, September 2012 (The Buffalo News)
“I'd like her (Michelle Obama) to return to being a male and let loose in the outback of Zimbabwe where she lives comfortably in a cave with Maxie, the gorilla."
— Carl Paladino on Fmr. First Lady, Michelle Obama, December 2016 (Artvoice)