Lifelong South Buffalo resident Kevin Lafferty formally announced his candidacy for the vacant South District Common Council Seat on the steps of City Hall Monday.
Lafferty and four other applicants will present their credentials to the Council for consideration Tuesday morning. The person appointed must run for the office in November.
Lafferty pledged that if he is chosen, he will represent the interests of residents of South Buffalo and not "political leaders."
"I believe South Buffalo deserves a young, progressive, independent leader. It's not about the political leaders. It's about the neighborhood. It's about South Buffalo. It's about residents having somebody to come to who will listen to their needs, listen to their concerns, [and] go to work for them every day," said Lafferty.
Lafferty says his blueprint for economic growth includes "enacting a green code, focusing on walkable streets...supporting our parks, encouraging the arts, and looking for innovation, instead of reactive policy,"
He says he is in the race to stay, regardless of who is named to fill the vacancy in the interim.
"I'm running. I'm in this for South Buffalo," Lafferty said.
The South District seat was left vacant in March when Michael Kearns won a special election for State Assembly two months ago.
