In a special election held on April 30, 2024, Democrat Tim Kennedy emerged victorious in the race to fill the vacant congressional seat in New York's 26th district. The seat was previously held by Brian Higgins, who resigned to take a job leading a performing arts center.
Kennedy defeated Republican Gary Dickson with a significant lead, thanks in part to his strong support among Democrats and the district's Democratic registration advantage. The election results bring the number of Democrats in the House to 214, while Republicans hold 213 seats with five vacancies.
Born and raised in Buffalo, Kennedy is a seven-term state senator and an occupational therapist by trade. He entered politics when he joined the Erie County Legislature in 2004 and has been a state senator since 2011. Kennedy chairs the Senate's Transportation Committee, where he focuses on infrastructure funding and limousine safety regulations reform.
Republicans have submitted petitions for a placeholder name in the June primary for a full term against Kennedy. However, former town supervisor Nate McMurray, who planned to challenge Kennedy in a Democratic primary in June, was removed from the ballot due to insufficient signatures.
Kennedy's campaign raised $1.7 million compared to Dickson's $35,430 and spent over $1 million during the off-season election. The Democrat will serve in Congress for the rest of the year and is on the ballot for a full term in November.
The New York district covers Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and several suburbs along the Niagara River. Kennedy has been a vocal supporter of gun safety legislation following a 2022 mass shooting in Buffalo. He also supports Israel but calls for civilians to be protected during its war against Hamas.
The special election took place amidst former President Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan on charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments during the 2016 campaign.
