2024 New York's 26th congressional district special election
{{Short description|none}}
{{use mdy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2024 New York's 26th congressional district special election
| country = New York
| type = by-election
| ongoing =
| previous_election = 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New York#District 26
| previous_year = 2022
| next_election = 2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New York#District 26
| next_year = November 2024
| seats_for_election = {{ushr|NY|26}}
| election_date = April 30, 2024
| image1 = Rep. Tim Kennedy's Official Portrait (cropped).jpg
| nominee1 = Tim Kennedy
| party1 = Democratic Party (United States)
| alliance1 = Working Families Party
| popular_vote1 = 48,050
| percentage1 = 68.5%
| image2 = 3x4.svg
| nominee2 = Gary Dickson
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| alliance2 = Conservative Party of New York State
| popular_vote2 = 21,982
| percentage2 = 31.3%
| map_image =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| title = U.S. Representative
| before_election = Brian Higgins
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = Tim Kennedy
| after_party = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Elections in New York (state) sidebar}}
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.{{cite web |last1=McMullen |first1=Justin |title=Date set for NY-26 special election to fill Higgins' seat in Congress |url=https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/your-local-election-headquarters-new-york-state/ny-26-special-election-date-to-fill-higgins-seat-in-congress/ |publisher=WIVB-TV |access-date=February 14, 2024 |date=February 12, 2024}} The seat became vacant after Democratic incumbent Brian Higgins resigned on February 2, 2024, to become president of Shea's Performing Arts Center.{{cite web |url=https://higgins.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4903 |title=Congressman Brian Higgins Announces Plans to Leave Congress |location=Buffalo, New York |website=higgins.house.gov |date=November 12, 2023 |access-date=November 23, 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/brian-higgins-announces-plans-to-resign-from-congress-set-to-take-top-sheas-job |title=Brian Higgins announces plans to resign from Congress, set to take top Shea's job |last=Joly |first=Aidan |date=November 12, 2023 |access-date=November 12, 2023 |website=WIVB-TV}} The early voting period ran from April 20 to April 28, 2024.{{Cite web|title=Official Special Election Political Calendar|url=https://elections.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/02/april-30-calendar-federal-cd-26_2.pdf|access-date=April 26, 2024|website=New York State Board of Elections}}
The Associated Press declared Tim Kennedy the winner within an hour of the polls closing.{{cite web |url=https://www.wivb.com/news/political-news/your-local-election-headquarters-new-york-state/ap-tim-kennedy-declared-winner-in-ny-26-special-election/ |title=AP: Tim Kennedy declared winner in NY-26 special election |last=Joly |first=Aidan |date=April 30, 2024 |access-date=April 30, 2024 |website=WIVB-TV}} He will serve in the United States House of Representatives for the remainder of the 118th United States Congress.
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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.{{cite web |last=Specht |first=Charlie |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/nate-mcmurray-announces-candidacy-for-brian-higgins-26th-district-seat-in-congress/article_40bdf802-af26-11ee-bf74-af6390518b27.html |title=Nate McMurray announces candidacy for Brian Higgins' 26th District seat in Congress |work=The Buffalo News |date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 10, 2024}}
==Candidates==
===Nominated===
- Tim Kennedy, state senator from the 63rd district (2011–present){{cite web |last1=Faery |first1=Max |title=Tim Kennedy gets Democratic Committee's nomination for NY-26 special election |url=https://www.audacy.com/wben/news/local/tim-kennedy-gets-democratic-committees-nomination-for-ny-26-special-election |publisher=Audacy |date=January 11, 2024}}
===Lost nomination===
- Nate McMurray, former town supervisor{{efn|name=m|In New York, the position of town supervisor is equivalent to mayor.}} 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){{cite web |last1=Parsnow |first1=Luke |last2=Whalen |first2=Ryan |title=Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown won't run for Higgins' congressional seat |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/buffalo/politics/2024/01/05/buffalo-mayor-byron-brown-won-t-run-for-congress |publisher=Spectrum News 1 Buffalo |date=January 5, 2024}}
- Mark Poloncarz, Erie County executive (2012–present){{cite web |last1=Specht |first1=Charlie |title=Poloncarz will not run for 26th Congressional District seat being vacated by Higgins |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/poloncarz-will-not-run-for-26th-congressional-district-seat-being-vacated-by-higgins/article_599983d8-9774-11ee-81a4-1f00c7fc47de.html |publisher=The Buffalo News |access-date=December 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231211192232/https://buffalonews.com/news/local/poloncarz-will-not-run-for-26th-congressional-district-seat-being-vacated-by-higgins/article_599983d8-9774-11ee-81a4-1f00c7fc47de.html |archive-date=December 11, 2023 |date=December 10, 2023 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}
=Republican Party=
The Erie County Republican Committee chose their nominee on February 21, 2024.
==Candidates==
===Nominated===
- Gary Dickson, town supervisor{{efn|name=m}} of West Seneca (2019–present){{cite news |last1=Specht |first1=Charlie |title=West Seneca Supervisor Gary Dickson gets GOP nod to face Kennedy for Congress |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/west-seneca-supervisor-gary-dickson-gets-gop-nod-to-face-kennedy-for-congress/article_055281a6-d051-11ee-be1f-cf99f17ded1a.html |access-date=February 21, 2024 |work=Buffalo News |date=February 21, 2024 |language=en}}
=Independents=
==Withdrawn==
- Nate McMurray,{{efn|McMurray is a Democrat, but tried to qualify for the ballot as an independent.}} former town supervisor{{efn|name=m}} of Grand Island and nominee for the 27th district in 2018 and 2020{{cite news |author1=Joly, Aidan |author2=Greber, Dave |access-date=February 27, 2024 |url=https://www.wivb.com/news/nate-mcmurray-will-not-be-on-ny-26-special-election-ballot/ |date=February 27, 2024 |work=WIVB-TV |title=Nate McMurray will not be on NY-26 special election ballot}}
General election
=Endorsements=
{{Endorsements box| title = Tim Kennedy (D)| colwidth=60| list =
U.S. representatives
- Brian Higgins, former U.S. representative for this district (2005–2024){{cite web |last1=McMullen |first1=Justin |title=On final curtain call in office, Higgins reflects on how Buffalo — and Congress — has changed |url=https://www.wivb.com/news/local-news/buffalo/on-final-day-in-office-higgins-reflects-on-how-buffalo-and-congress-has-changed/ |publisher=WIVB-TV |access-date=February 14, 2024 |date=February 2, 2024}}
- Annie Kuster, U.S. representative for {{ushr|NH|2|b}} (2013–present)
Statewide officials
- Letitia James, attorney general of New York (2019–present){{Cite web |last=Specht |first=Charlie |date=2024-03-15 |title=State AG James endorses Kennedy for Congress |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/state-ag-james-endorses-kennedy-for-congress/article_074fc7f6-e2d6-11ee-b954-27d283097c69.html |access-date=2024-03-15 |website=Buffalo News |language=en}}
Individuals
- Marshall Wittmann, political commentator
Labor unions
- 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East{{Cite web |title=2024 New York Endorsements |url=https://1199votes.org/our-endorsements/new-york-endorsements/| access-date=April 2, 2024|website=1199SEIU}}
- Civil Service Employees Association Local 1000{{Cite web |title=CSEA endorses State Sen. Tim Kennedy in Congressional special election|url=https://cseany.org/workforce/?p=13315|access-date=April 2, 2024 |website=CSEA Local 1000 | date=April 1, 2024|language=en}}
- Communications Workers of America District 1{{Cite web |first=Logan |last=Needle |title=CWA District 1 Announces Endorsement in NY-26 Special Election |url=https://cwad1.org/press-releases/cwa-district-1-announces-endorsement-ny-26-special-election |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=CWA District 1| date=February 27, 2024 |language=en}}
- International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 3{{Cite web |title=The BAC 3 NY is proud to endorse NYS Senator Tim Kennedy for the special election to fill the 26th Congressional District seat left vacant by Congressman Brian Higgins|url=https://www.facebook.com/BACLocal3NY/photos/the-bac-3-ny-is-proud-to-endorse-nys-senator-tim-kennedy-for-the-special-electio/398681762672204/?_rdr| access-date=April 1, 2024|website=Facebook}}
- New York State AFL-CIO{{Cite web |title=New York State AFL-CIO Endorses Tim Kennedy for Congress |url=https://nysaflcio.org/press-releases/new-york-state-afl-cio-endorses-tim-kennedy-congress |access-date=March 19, 2024 |website=New York State AFL-CIO | date=March 18, 2024 |language=en}}
- Transport Workers Union of America Local 100{{Cite tweet |user=TWULocal100 |author=TWU Local 100 |number=1745240908331622598 |title=State Sen. Tim Kennedy, Chair of the Transportation Committee is a friend of working people and we enthusiastically endorse @senkennedy for Congress in N.Y.-26}}
- United Auto Workers Region 9{{Cite tweet |user=UAWregion9 |number=1731788165692694722 |title=Today @UAW Region 9 WNY CAP Council was proud to endorse NYS State Senator Timothy M. Kennedy!}}
Organizations
- AIPAC{{cite web |last1=Specht |first1=Charlie |title=Views on Gaza differ among candidates in 26th Congressional race |url=https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/26-congressional-district-race-gaza-views-tim-kennedy-gary-dickson-nate-mcmurray/article_25148eb6-dcaf-11ee-a0ee-d72a76b5a1c3.html |publisher=The Buffalo News |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240310230229/https://buffalonews.com/news/local/government-politics/26-congressional-district-race-gaza-views-tim-kennedy-gary-dickson-nate-mcmurray/article_25148eb6-dcaf-11ee-a0ee-d72a76b5a1c3.html |archive-date=March 10, 2024 |date=March 10, 2024 |quote=Kennedy also snagged an endorsement from the influential American Israel Public Affairs Committee |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}}
- Democratic Majority for Israel{{Cite web |date=April 3, 2024 |title=DMFI PAC Endorses in New York and Missouri Congressional Primaries |url=https://dmfipac.org/news-updates/press-release/dmfi-pac-endorses-in-new-york-and-missouri-congressional-primaries/|access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=DMFI PAC |language=en-US |quote=The candidates endorsed by DMFI PAC today include...State Sen. Tim Kennedy (NY-26)...}}
- Erie County Federation of Democratic Women{{Cite web |title=The NY-26 is up for grabs and now more than ever, we need leaders in Washington, DC who will stand up and fight for women. |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=396718936538391&set=a.117587731118181| access-date=April 26, 2024|website=Facebook}}
- Human Rights Campaign{{cite press release |last1=Wolf |first1=Brandon |title=Human Rights Campaign PAC Endorses Tim Kennedy for NY-26 |url=https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-pac-endorses-tim-kennedy-for-ny-26 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=Human Rights Campaign |date=March 22, 2024}}
- National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare{{cite press release |last1=Gottlieb |first1=Walter |title=Western New Yorkers Need Tim Kennedy In the U.S. House |url=https://www.ncpssm.org/documents/news-releases/western-new-yorkers-need-tim-kennedy-in-the-u-s-house/ |access-date=April 29, 2024 |work=NCPSSM |date=April 26, 2024}}
- New York League of Conservation Voters{{cite web |last1=Callahan |first1=Devin |title=NYLCV Endorses Tim Kennedy for Congress in the NY-26 Special Election |url=https://nylcv.org/news/nylcv-endorses-tim-kennedy-for-congress-in-the-ny-26-special-election/ |publisher=New York League of Conservation Voters |access-date=March 11, 2024 |date=March 6, 2024}}
- NewDem Action Fund{{Cite web |date=April 15, 2024 |title=NewDem Action Fund Announces Endorsement of Tim Kennedy for the Special Election in New York's 26th District |url=https://newdemactionfund.com/press-releases/2024/4/15/newdem-action-fund-announces-endorsement-of-tim-kennedy-for-the-special-election-in-new-yorks-26th-districtnbsp |access-date=April 18, 2024 |website=NewDem Action Fund |language=en-US}}
- Sierra Club{{cite news |title=Sierra Club endorses Kennedy in congressional race |url=https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sierra-club-endorses-kennedy-in-congressional-race/article_a2b31222-f2c9-11ee-9613-dfa4b647f1ff.html |website=Niagara Gazette |access-date=April 19, 2024 |date=April 4, 2024}}
Newspapers
- The Buffalo News{{Cite web |last=March |first=Libby |date=April 21, 2024 |title=The Editorial Board: For Congress: Tim Kennedy |url=https://buffalonews.com/opinion/editorial/the-editorial-board-for-congress-tim-kennedy/article_03c88a88-fd7e-11ee-8efa-53290615bb47.html |access-date=April 26, 2024 |website=The Buffalo News |language=en-US}}
Political parties
}}
{{Endorsements box| title = Gary Dickson (R)| list =
Political parties
- Conservative Party of New York State{{cite web |last1=Kruly |first1=Kenn |title=The NY26 campaign takes shape |url=https://www.buffalorising.com/2024/02/the-ny26-campaign-takes-shape-additional-analysis-of-kennedys-campaign-receipts/ |date=February 27, 2024 |website=Buffalo Rising |access-date=March 11, 2024}}
- New York Republican Party
}}
=Debate=
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center;"
|+ class="nowrap" | 2024 New York's 26th congressional district special election debates |
| style="font-size:small;"
!scope="col"| {{abbr|No.|Number}} !scope="col"| Date !scope="col"| Host !scope="col"| Moderators !scope="col"| Links !scope="col"| Democratic !scope="col"| Republican |
| colspan="5" rowspan="2" |{{Colors|black|#90ff90| P }} Participant {{Colors|black|#ff9090| A }} Absent {{Colors|black|#A2B2C2| N }} Non-invitee {{Colors|black|#CCFFCC| I }} Invitee {{color box|#f0e68c|W}} Withdrawn
! scope="col" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party (US)}};"| ! scope="col" style="background:#E81B23;"| |
|---|
| scope="col"| Tim Kennedy
!scope="col"| Gary Dickson |
| style="background:#FFFFFF;font-size:small;"
|style="white-space:nowrap;"| April 24, 2024 |style="white-space:nowrap;"| WIVB-TV |style="white-space:nowrap;"| Marlee Tuskes |style="white-space:nowrap;"| [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdtjfqA055o YouTube] | {{Yes|P}} | {{Yes|P}} |
=Results=
{{2024NY26}}
{{collapse top|1=By county|left=yes|bg=#B0CEFF;line-height:135%;|border=none}}
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:right"
! rowspan="2"| County ! colspan="2"| Tim Kennedy ! colspan="2"| Gary Dickson ! colspan="2"| Write-in ! colspan="2"| Margin ! rowspan="2"| Total votes |
| data-sort-type="number"|#
! data-sort-type="number"|% ! data-sort-type="number"|# ! data-sort-type="number"|% ! data-sort-type="number"|# ! data-sort-type="number"|% ! data-sort-type="number"|# ! data-sort-type="number"|% |
|---|
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|Erie
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|41,206 | {{party shading/Democratic}}|71.19 | {{party shading/Republican}}| 16,530 | {{party shading/Republican}}| 28.56 | 146 | 0.25 | {{party shading/Democratic}}|24,676 | {{party shading/Democratic}}|42.63 | 57,882 |
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|Niagara
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|6,844 | {{party shading/Democratic}}|55.60 | {{party shading/Republican}}| 5,452 | {{party shading/Republican}}| 44.29 | 13 | 0.11 | {{party shading/Democratic}}|1,392 | {{party shading/Democratic}}|11.31 | 12,309 |
| Total
| {{party shading/Democratic}}|48,050 | {{party shading/Democratic}}|68.46 | {{party shading/Republican}}| 21,982 | {{party shading/Republican}}| 31.32 | 159 | 0.23 | {{party shading/Democratic}}|26,068 | {{party shading/Democratic}}|37.14 | 70,191 |
{{collapse bottom|}}
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
Official campaign websites
- [https://garydicksonforcongress.com/ Gary Dickson (R) for Congress]
- [https://www.kennedyforuscongress.com/ Tim Kennedy (D) for Congress]
{{2024 United States elections}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:New York's 26th congressional district special election, 2024}}
United States House of Representatives 26 special
Category:2024 United States House of Representatives elections
Category:April 2024 in the United States
United States House of Representatives 2024 26
Category:Special elections to the 118th United States Congress
Category:United States House of Representatives special elections