Sean Ryan
Sean Ryan (Democratic Party) is a member of the New York State Senate, representing District 61. He assumed office on January 1, 2023. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.
Ryan (Democratic Party, Working Families Party) ran for election for Mayor of Buffalo in New York. He won in the general election on November 4, 2025. He advanced from the Democratic primary on June 24, 2025.
Biography
Sean Ryan lives in Buffalo, New York. Ryan earned degrees from State University of New York College at Fredonia and Albany Law School. His career experience includes working as the executive director and general counsel of Buffalo Neighborhood Stabilization Company, Inc., and in private law practice with Neighborhood Legal Services.[1]
Committee assignments
2025-2026
Ryan was assigned to the following committees:
- Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Committee
- Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee, Chair
- Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee
- Internet and Technology Committee
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Libraries Committee
- Senate Banks Committee
- Senate Labor Committee
2021-2022
Ryan was assigned to the following committees:
- Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business Committee
- Crime Victims, Crime and Correction Committee
- Senate Education Committee
- Senate Health Committee
- Housing, Construction and Community Development Committee
- Senate Labor Committee
2019-2020
Ryan was assigned to the following committees:
- Education Committee
- Environmental Conservation Committee
- Libraries and Education Technology Committee, Chair
- Governmental Employees Committee
- Transportation Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Banks |
| • Education |
| • Environmental Conservation |
| • Local Governments |
| • Transportation |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Ryan served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Banks |
| • Energy |
| • Environmental Conservation |
| • Local Governments |
| • Veterans' Affairs |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Ryan served on the following committees:
| New York committee assignments, 2013 |
|---|
| • Banks |
| • Energy |
| • Environmental Conservation |
| • Judiciary |
| • Local Governments |
| • Veterans' Affairs |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2025
See also: Mayoral election in Buffalo, New York (2025)
General election
General election for Mayor of Buffalo
Sean Ryan defeated James Gardner and Michael Gainer in the general election for Mayor of Buffalo on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Sean Ryan (D / Working Families Party) | 71.1 | 17,231 |
| James Gardner (R) | 24.3 | 5,900 | ||
| Michael Gainer (Independent) | 4.6 | 1,104 | ||
| Total votes: 24,235 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Garnell Whitfield (Independent)
- Christopher Scanlon (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Mayor of Buffalo
Sean Ryan defeated incumbent Christopher Scanlon, Garnell Whitfield, Rasheed Wyatt, and Anthony Tyson-Thompson in the Democratic primary for Mayor of Buffalo on June 24, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Ryan | 46.4 | 12,439 |
 | Christopher Scanlon | 35.1 | 9,430 | |
| Garnell Whitfield | 8.2 | 2,204 | ||
 | Rasheed Wyatt | 7.7 | 2,066 | |
| Anthony Tyson-Thompson | 2.4 | 642 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 51 | ||
| Total votes: 26,832 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- James A. W. McLeod (D)
- Michael Gainer (D)
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. James Gardner advanced from the Republican primary for Mayor of Buffalo.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Sean Ryan advanced from the Working Families Party primary for Mayor of Buffalo.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ryan in this election.
2024
See also: New York State Senate elections, 2024
General election
General election for New York State Senate District 61
Incumbent Sean Ryan defeated Christine M. Czarnik in the general election for New York State Senate District 61 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Ryan (D / Working Families Party) | 61.7 | 88,420 |
 | Christine M. Czarnik (R / Conservative Party) | 38.2 | 54,666 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 160 | ||
| Total votes: 143,246 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sean Ryan advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 61.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Christine M. Czarnik advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Senate District 61.
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Christine M. Czarnik advanced from the Conservative Party primary for New York State Senate District 61.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sean Ryan advanced from the Working Families Party primary for New York State Senate District 61.
Campaign finance
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Ryan in this election.
2022
See also: New York State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for New York State Senate District 61
Incumbent Sean Ryan defeated incumbent Edward Rath III in the general election for New York State Senate District 61 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Ryan (D / Working Families Party) | 56.7 | 63,901 |
 | Edward Rath III (R / Conservative Party) | 43.3 | 48,805 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 90 | ||
| Total votes: 112,796 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 61
Incumbent Sean Ryan defeated Benjamin Carlisle in the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 61 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Ryan | 86.1 | 11,448 |
| Benjamin Carlisle | 13.5 | 1,790 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 51 | ||
| Total votes: 13,289 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ryan Rooney (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New York State Senate District 61
Incumbent Edward Rath III defeated Joel Giambra (Unofficially withdrew) in the Republican primary for New York State Senate District 61 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Edward Rath III | 78.0 | 3,712 |
| Joel Giambra (Unofficially withdrew) | 20.9 | 994 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 1.1 | 54 | ||
| Total votes: 4,760 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joseph Totaro (R)
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Edward Rath III advanced from the Conservative Party primary for New York State Senate District 61.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Joel Giambra (Conservative Party) (Unofficially withdrew)
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sean Ryan advanced from the Working Families Party primary for New York State Senate District 61.
2020
See also: New York State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for New York State Senate District 60
Sean Ryan defeated Joshua Mertzlufft in the general election for New York State Senate District 60 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Ryan (D / Working Families Party / Independence Party) | 60.7 | 91,008 |
 | Joshua Mertzlufft (R / Conservative Party) | 39.2 | 58,817 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 124 | ||
| Total votes: 149,949 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Sean Ryan advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Senate District 60.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Joshua Mertzlufft advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Senate District 60.
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Joshua Mertzlufft advanced from the Conservative Party primary for New York State Senate District 60.
Independence Party primary election
The Independence Party primary election was canceled. Sean Ryan advanced from the Independence Party primary for New York State Senate District 60.
Serve America Movement Party primary election
The Serve America Movement Party primary election was canceled. Sean Ryan advanced from the Serve America Movement Party primary for New York State Senate District 60.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Sean Ryan advanced from the Working Families Party primary for New York State Senate District 60.
2018
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2018
Ryan also ran in the 2018 election as a Working Families Party, Women's Equality Party, and Independence Party candidate.
General election
General election for New York State Assembly District 149
Incumbent Sean Ryan defeated Joseph Totaro in the general election for New York State Assembly District 149 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Ryan (D) | 72.1 | 31,233 |
| Joseph Totaro (R) | 27.9 | 12,062 | ||
| Total votes: 43,295 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New York State Assembly District 149
Incumbent Sean Ryan advanced from the Democratic primary for New York State Assembly District 149 on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Sean Ryan |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for New York State Assembly District 149
Joseph Totaro advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Assembly District 149 on September 13, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Joseph Totaro | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2016
Elections for the New York State Assembly took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The filing deadline for major party candidates was July 14, 2016. The filing deadline for independent candidates was August 23, 2016.
Incumbent Sean Ryan defeated Arnold S. Kacalski in the New York State Assembly District 149 general election.[2][3]
| New York State Assembly, District 149 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Sean Ryan Incumbent |
100.00% | 40,525 | |
| Republican | Arnold S. Kacalski | 0.00% | ||
| Total Votes | 40,525 | |||
| Source: New York Board of Elections | ||||
Incumbent Sean Ryan ran unopposed in the New York State Assembly District 149 Democratic primary.[4][5]
| New York State Assembly, District 149 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Democratic | Sean Ryan Incumbent (unopposed) | |
Ryan also ran on the Working Families, Independence, and Women's Equality Party tickets. Arnold S. Kacalski ran unopposed in the New York State Assembly District 149 Republican primary.[4][5]
| New York State Assembly, District 149 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | Arnold S. Kacalski (unopposed) | |
2014
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2014
Elections for the New York State Assembly took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 10, 2014. Incumbent Sean Ryan was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Jacob J. Bratek was unopposed in the Republican primary. Ryan also ran on the Working Families Party and Independence Party of New York State tickets. Charley Tarr ran as a Green Party candidate. Ryan defeated Bratek and Tarr in the general election.[6][7][8]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sean Ryan Incumbent |
68% | 19,243 | |
| Republican | Jacob J. Bratek | 29% | 8,216 | |
| Green | Charley Tarr | 3% | 852 | |
| Total Votes | 28,311 | |||
2012
- See also: New York State Assembly elections, 2012
Ryan ran in the 2012 election for New York State Assembly District 149. He defeated Joseph A. Mascia (who also ran on the Conservative Party ticket) and Kevin P. Gaughan in the Democratic primary on September 13, 2012. He also ran on the Working Families Party ticket. He defeated Joseph A. Mascia in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[9][10][11]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sean Ryan Incumbent |
82.8% | 35,855 | |
| Conservative | Joseph A. Mascia | 17.2% | 7,431 | |
| Total Votes | 43,286 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Sean Ryan Incumbent |
64.5% | 5,135 |
| Kevin Gaughan | 28.6% | 2,274 |
| Joseph Mascia | 6.9% | 549 |
| Total Votes | 7,958 | |
2011
The special election was called to fill the vacancy created when Sam Hoyt (D) resigned from the Assembly and accepted a senior position at Empire State Development Corporation.[12]
Ryan defeated Sean Kipp (R) and Gregory Horn (G) in the September 13, 2011, special election. Ryan also ran on the Working Family Party ticket.[13]
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Sean Ryan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2025 Candidate Connection survey.
2024
Sean Ryan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
2022
Sean Ryan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Sean Ryan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Ryan's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ |
Sean’s Plan To Reform Albany
Fighting for WNY Families Tax Relief
Sean’s Education Agenda for Western New York Increase Funding for Schools
Sean’s Plan To Invest In Our Economy Tax Reform and State Investment
Sean’s Economic Fairness Agenda Boost the Minimum Wage
|
” |
| —Sean Ryan[15] | ||
2014
Ryan's campaign website highlighted the following issues:[16]
- Excerpt: "Sean is working to redevelop the Buffalo waterfront to bring more economic growth and jobs to the area."
- Excerpt: "With a mom who is a retired public school teacher and two kids in public schools, Sean is a strong advocate for improved funding for education and proven reforms."
- Excerpt: "Sean is working to make sure the Buffalo Billion will be spent on projects our region most needs to build for a successful future."
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of New York scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 3 to June 8.
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2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 4 to June 21.
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2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 5 to June 4.
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2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 6 to June 10.
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2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 8 to December 31.
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2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the New York State Legislature was in session from January 9 through January 8, 2020.
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2018
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the 202nd New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 3 through June 20.
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2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the 202nd New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 4 through December 31. A recess began June 21, and there was a special session June 28-29.
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2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the 201st New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 6 through June 18.
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2015
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In 2015, the 201st New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 7 through June 25.
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2014
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In 2014, the 200th New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 8 to June 19, 2014.
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2013
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In 2013, the 200th New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 9 to December 31.
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2012
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In 2012, the 199th New York State Legislature, second annual session, was in session from January 4 to June 22, 2012.
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2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the 199th New York State Legislature, first annual session, was in session from January 5 to June 20, 2011.
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Noteworthy events
|
|---|
| Coronavirus pandemic |
| Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more.
|
Ryan announced on November 3, 2021, that he tested positive for COVID-19. He said he was fully vaccinated at the time he contracted the virus.[17]
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Ryan and his wife, Catherine, have two children.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Mayor of Buffalo |
Officeholder New York State Senate District 61 |
Footnotes
- ↑ New York State Senate, "About Sean M. Ryan," accessed March 26, 2021
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "2016 General Election Candidate List," accessed October 11, 2016
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Election results, 2016," accessed December 23, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 New York State Board of Elections, "Filings received for the 2016 State/Local Primary," accessed August 29, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 New York State Board of Elections, "Election returns September 13, 2016," accessed November 6, 2016
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Certification for the September 9, 2014, State Primary Election," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "Primary results for September 9, 2014," accessed October 1, 2014
- ↑ New York Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed December 17, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Candidate List for the September 13, 2012, State Primary Election," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official September 13, 2012, Primary Results," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ State of New York, State Board of Elections, "Official Assembly Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012," accessed July 31, 2014
- ↑ Capital Tonight, "Hoyt Resigns (Updated)," June 30, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ WGRZ 2, "Sean Ryan Wins Race for 144th Assembly District," September 13, 2011
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Sean Ryan Assembly, "Issues," accessed October 17, 2016
- ↑ Sean Ryan Assembly, "Issues," accessed October 14, 2014
- ↑ WGRZ, "Sean Ryan says he tested positive for COVID," November 3, 2021
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