Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Erie County Democratic Committee officially selected New York State Sen. Tim Kennedy on Thursday as their endorsed candidate to succeed Rep. Brian Higgins for New York's 26th Congressional District seat.
"I'm absolutely excited about the opportunity, the confidence and the trust that's been placed in me by the Democratic Committee here in the 26th Congressional District, to follow in the giant footsteps of Congressman Brian Higgins," Kennedy said following the announcement.
"We have a charge on behalf of the people of Western New York, and on behalf of the people of New York State and this great nation, to make changes in Washington and to instill trust and hope back into the nation's capital and into our government and I'm looking forward to getting to work."
Kennedy will be the frontrunner for the special election that will most likely take place in April. After that, he will need to win two more elections to firmly secure his seat in Congress.
The seat will be vacated in February by Higgins, who will step down after 20 years of service to become the next CEO of Shea's Buffalo Theatre.
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Hochul will have to schedule a special election within 10 days from being notified of Higgins' vacancy, which then has to take place within 80 days.
"I think it was not a really difficult decision. Sen. Kennedy has a proven record of fighting for our community," said Jeremy Zellner, Erie County Democratic Committee Chairman on Thursday.
Zellner noted that the committee was unanimously in favor of Kennedy, they wanted a candidate with experience and who has a track record of bringing resources to Western New York.
Kennedy has been a senator in the New York State Legislature since 2011 and played a significant role in bring resources like funding for road improvements and millions for the Metro Rail as chair of the New York State Senate Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capital Investment Committee.
Nate McMurray, former Grand Island Supervisor, following the announcement said he will still be running for the seat.
"The people know the status quo isn't good enough. I'm going to go out there and I'm gonna give them a chance at change. I'm going to give them a choice. Choice is a beautiful thing, so let's give them some choice."
Jeanne Vinal also made a pitch for endorsement for the Erie County Democratic endorsement. She has serving the community as an Erie County Legislator since 2020.
Kennedy vocalized some issues that he wants to address in Congress, which are uniform to the principles that Democrats have been fighting for the loudest.
"Every woman in America should have the same freedoms that woman here in New York State, that's why we will codify Roe v. Wade into federal law. Every worker should have the same right to organize and receive a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, that's why we will pass the PRO Act and fully fund the National Labor Relations Board. Every child should feel safe in our school and parishioner safe in their houses of worship, that's why we will ban assault weapons and weapons of war. Every eligible American citizen should have the right to vote, that's why we will pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act."