BUFFALO, NY – Erie County Legislator April N. M. Baskin, D-Buffalo, was elected Chair of the Legislature today in an 8-2 vote during a special session of the Erie County Legislature. Legislator Mills was not present.

First elected in 2017, Legislator Baskin was chosen to serve as the Majority Leader immediately upon being sworn into office. She was again elected Majority Leader during the Legislature’s annual reorganization in January 2019.  With the imminent departure of former Chair Peter Savage to become a Buffalo City Court Judge, Baskin was elected by her legislative colleagues to become Chair. She is the youngest Chair elected in the history of the Legislature and the only first term Legislator to receive this designation.

“I wish outgoing Chair, Peter Savage, all the best as he takes on a new role in public service as a City of Buffalo Court Judge. I am thrilled for him to have this opportunity and thank him for his mentorship over the past 16 months. This is an unexpected promotion that I intend to serve with diligence. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues, and I look forward to serving in this new leadership role,” remarked Chair Baskin.

Legislator Baskin was sworn in by City Court Judge Craig Hannah after an invocation lead by Reverend Mark Blue, the President of the Buffalo branch of the NAACP.