Retiring Guy's Digest: Who will run in New York's 26th congressional district now that Democrat Brian Higgins is not running for re-election

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Who will run in New York's 26th congressional district now that Democrat Brian Higgins is not running for re-election

The 26th CD includes most of Erie County (Buffalo) and Niagara County. It's solidly Democratic.

WIVB, 11/13/2023

Higgins, 64, has been in his seat in Buffalo and elsewhere in Western New York since 2005 and will leave Congress during his ninth term in office.
So, what will happen to the seat once Higgins has officially left office?
Higgins said he intends to officially step down in the first week of February 2024. From there, according to state law, Governor Kathy Hochul must call for a special election within 10 days of Higgins filing a notice to vacate.
From there, Hochul will set a date for the special election within 70 to 80 days from the date Higgins steps down. If Higgins does resign in the first week of February, the election would likely fall in mid-April. The winner would be sworn in within a few weeks afterward.
Erie’s and Niagara County’s Democratic and Republican committees would nominate someone to run. Both will have a say, but Erie County is likely to have a larger say in the process.