BUFFALO, NY (WKBW) — It was a tough defeat for Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon, who was unable to win the Democratic primary for Buffalo mayor.
New York Senator Sean Ryan won the race Tuesday night, beating four other candidates, including Scanlon, who conceded just before 11 p.m. on Tuesday.
Ryan, who received the endorsement of the Erie County Democratic Committee in February, received 47 percent of the vote in the primary election. Scanlon received 35 percent.
WATCH: Sean Ryan speaks to supporters after winning the Democratic primary for Buffalo mayor
“I did reach out to Senator Ryan and his team and congratulated them on the victory this evening,” Scanlon stated in his concession speech.
In his concession speech, Scanlon apologized to supporters because of his defeat.
“I apologize for not getting it done for you," Scanlon said. "I apologize that we were not successful. I want to apologize to you all for not being successful this evening.”
WATCH: 'I apologize that we were not successful': Chris Scanlon defeated in Buffalo mayoral primary
Afterwards, I asked Scanlon if he would remain in the race for the November election.
“I don't want to talk about that right now," he said. "Tonight, I’m just focused on thanking all my incredible team, my supporters. There's a ton of people here tonight, I just want to make sure I get to each and every one of them to say thank you for the time and effort that they put into this campaign. I'm just so incredibly thankful to the team for the time that they put in. So that's what my focus is tonight, just thanking all of them, and we'll deal with that tomorrow."
Although Scanlon didn't want to discuss what the future holds, his supporters sounded off and seem to want him to remain in the race. They gave him a rousing chant of “it's not over, it’s not over.”
Scanlon said one thing is for certain: he’s hoping to have time to put up his feet and spend time with his family now that this part of his campaign is over.
"My feet will be up tomorrow for sure, spend some time with the kids, and my wife," he said. "We haven't spent a whole lot of time with them in the last few months.”
