Democrats secured a significant victory in a special election for a House seat in western New York on Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. This win further reduces the GOP's already narrow majority in the chamber.
Democratic state Sen. Tim Kennedy emerged victorious over Republican town supervisor Gary Dickson in New York’s 26th District, an area known for its Democratic leanings, which includes Buffalo and some surrounding suburbs. This win brings the Democrats' count to 213 seats in the House, compared to the Republicans' 217. Currently, five seats remain vacant.
Kennedy will serve the remainder of Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins' term. Higgins, a congressman with ten terms under his belt, resigned in February to lead a local performing arts center. He expressed frustration with partisan gridlock in Congress, calling it “in a very, very bad place” and signaling a decline in the institution's prestige.
Despite Higgins' comments, Kennedy remained undeterred from running in the special election or for a full term in November. He emphasized the need to restore honor, civility, and functionality in the House of Representatives, stating, “The dysfunction has become an embarrassment across this country and across the global community.”
Kennedy's victory did not come as a surprise, as President Joe Biden had won the district by 23 percentage points in 2020. The district also boasts twice as many registered Democrats as Republicans, making it likely that Democrats will retain the seat in November. Kennedy will first need to win the June primary to run for a full term, but he may face limited competition.
Former Grand Island Town Supervisor Nate McMurray, who previously ran unsuccessfully in a neighboring congressional district, is also considering running. However, there are objections to McMurray’s petition signatures, which could impact his ballot access. Kennedy had also filed a lawsuit challenging McMurray’s signatures.
Looking ahead, Kennedy expressed his commitment to working with colleagues to deliver for the country and ensure that the House of Representatives is more representative of the people. He believes that Democrats have the moral high ground to take back the House in November, citing public discontent with Republican control under the MAGA banner.
Kennedy is expected to be a reliable Democratic vote, focusing on key party issues such as protecting Social Security and Medicare, defending democracy, and enshrining the right to abortion into federal law. Despite being a practicing Catholic, Kennedy's views on abortion have evolved, and he now advocates for federal law to reflect abortion protections similar to those in New York State law.
Kennedy was among the state legislators who voted in 2019 to protect the right to an abortion in New York up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for a non-viable fetus and when a patient’s health is at risk. He believes that a woman’s right to make health care decisions about her own body should be a private matter between a woman, her family, and her doctor.
In the race, Kennedy received the endorsement of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s political arm, reaffirming his support for Israel while also advocating for the protection of civilians in the country's conflict with Hamas.