James Donald "Jimmy" Griffin (June 29, 1929 – May 25, 2008) was an American politician who served in the New York State Senate (56th District, 1967–77) and then for 16 years as the Mayor of Buffalo, New York (1978–93). He later returned to public life serving as a member of the Buffalo Common Council. Early life Griffin, an Irish American, hailed from South Buffalo, the son of Helen (O'Brien) and Thomas Griffin. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Griffin was a registered Democrat during his political career. However, he was very conservative compared to the party platform, especially on social issues. He was frequently cross-endorsed by the Conservative and Republican parties. He was a Buffalo city councilman in the 1960s. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1967 to 1977, sitting in the 177th, 178th, 179th, 180th, 181st, and 182nd New York State Legislatures. Mayor of Buffalo Griffin was elected mayor of Buffalo in November 1977, and was sworn in on January 1, 1978. He had lost the Democratic primary for mayor to then Deputy State Assembly Speaker Arthur Eve. In the general election, he was the nominee of the Conservative Party and defeated Eve to be elected mayor. He was reelected in 1981, 1985, and 1989. As mayor, Griffin was sometimes known for his outspoken personality. During a January 1985 blizzard, he recommended to Buffalo residents "go home, buy a six pack of beer, and watch a good football game." This earned him the nickname "Jimmy Six Pack". While mayor, he was the unsuccessful Republican nominee for Erie County executive in 1991, losing to incumbent Dennis Gorski. In 1992, Griffin sought the Democratic nomination for president in the New Hampshire primary, finishing a very distant eighth to Bill Clinton. After the "Spring of Life" demonstration in April 1992 where Griffin encouraged pro-life groups such as Operation Rescue to protest in Buffalo, he declined to seek a fifth term as mayor and was succeeded by Democrat Anthony Masiello. Postmayoral career Griffin remained as outspoken and controversial as a former mayor as he was during his career in City Hall. He frequently commented on public policy issues in Buffalo. He ran again for Mayor in the 1997 election, running on the Right to Life line and losing to Masiello. He then unsuccessfully sought a seat in the New York State Assembly against