The 2024 New York's 26th congressional district special election was held on April 30, 2024, to fill the vacant seat in New York's 26th congressional district. The seat became vacant after Democratic incumbent Brian Higgins resigned on February 2, 2024, to become president of Shea's Performing Arts Center. The early voting period ran from April 20 to April 28, 2024.
The Associated Press declared Tim Kennedy the winner within an hour of the polls closing. He served in the United States House of Representatives for the remainder of the 118th United States Congress.
Nominees New York does not use primary elections when filling vacancies. Instead, party officials in the affected counties are responsible for choosing nominees.
Democratic Party The Erie County Democratic Committee chose their nominee on February 21, 2024.
Candidates Nominated Tim Kennedy, state senator from the 63rd district (2011–present)
Lost nomination Nate McMurray, former town supervisor of Grand Island and nominee for the 27th district in 2018 and 2020 (ran as an independent) Jeanne Vinal, Erie County legislator (2020–present)
Declined Byron Brown, mayor of Buffalo (2006–present), former chair of the New York Democratic Party (2016–2019), and former state senator from the 60th district (2001–2005) Mark Poloncarz, Erie County executive (2012–present)
Republican Party The Erie County Republican Committee chose their nominee on February 21, 2024.
Candidates Nominated Gary Dickson, town supervisor of West Seneca (2019–present)
Independents Withdrawn Nate McMurray, former town supervisor of Grand Island and nominee for the 27th district in 2018 and 2020
General election Endorsements
Debate 2024 New York's 26th congressional district special election debates Date Host Moderators Links Democratic Republican Participant Absent Non-invitee Invitee Withdrawn Tim Kennedy Gary Dickson 1 April 24, 2024 WIVB-TV Marlee TuskesDave Greber YouTube
Results
County Tim KennedyDemocratic Gary DicksonRepublican Write-in Margin Total votes#%#%#%#%Erie41,20671.19 16,530 28.56 146 0.2524,67642.63 57,882Niagara6,84455.60 5,452 44.29 13 0.111,39211.31 12,309 Total48,05068.46 21,982 31.32 159 0.2326,06837.14 70,191
See also 2024 United States House of Representatives elections 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New York List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives List of United States representatives from New York 118th United States Congress
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites Gary Dickson (R) Tim Kennedy (D)