BUFFALO — Mayor Byron Brown will seek a fourth term as mayor of Buffalo, he announced Monday afternoon at a rally, flanked by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.

During his State of the City address just days ago, he boasted that there would be no property tax increases in Buffalo for a 12th straight year, leading many to speculate that Monday’s announcement would be shortly forthcoming.

Brown will have to fend off opposition on his own side of the political aisle. City Comptroller Mark Schroeder is expected to announce his own bid for mayor in early March.