Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown will not be running for New York's 26th congressional district, a seat that will be vacated by Brian Higgins in February.
WBEN obtained the following statement from Mayor Brown:
"After careful consideration and discussing with my family on this unique opportunity to go to Congress, I have made the decision to continue to serve the residents of Buffalo as Mayor. Today I met with Chairman [Jeremy] Zellner and informed him that I will not be seeking the Democratic Nomination for the 26th Congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Brian Higgins and look forward to continuing to work with the Erie County Democratic Committee and the Party’s endorsed candidate to fill the vacancy."
The only candidate to date that has announced an official run for Congress is current New York State Sen. Tim Kennedy, who has been serving in his role as since 2011.
"I'm not surprised," WBEN Political Strategist Carl Calabrese said upon learning of the development Friday. Calabrese says the demographics of the district, combined with Kennedy's already substantial fundraising effort likely led the mayor to his decision. "The odds are just so far against him that it's best to continue serving as mayor of the city."
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