Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - State Sen. Tim Kennedy is not the only local democrat preparing for a Congressional run in 2024.
Erie County Democratic Party Chair Jeremy Zellner told WBEN on Wednesday,
he expects more people to express an interest in running, and go through the nominating process by the Democratic Executive Committee.
Zellner is already having conversations with potential candidates.
"I've been talking to Sen. Kennedy everyday. I've talked with the County Executive. I've talked with Mayor Brown. They all want to be considered and we'll consider anyone who wants to be interviewed by our committee," said Zellner.
The process of the party picking the nominee for the special election is done behind closed doors.
Zellner was asked if that is the best way to proceed once Higgins' Congressional seat opens up?
"Not true," he said. "Anyone who wants to run for the seat can participate in the primary and the election next year by getting on the ballot. Nothing is holding anyone back. They can open up their campaign account and run right now if they want to."
Every Congressional seat is up for election in 2024.
What kind of fight will Republicans wage for the vacancy in NY-26?
Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23), was asked when he appeared on WBEN.
"I'm sure the party will offer up a candidate. I haven't discussed that yet with our party chair Michael Kracker. It's fresh. The vacancy is not coming up until February. I would presume there will be a special election in the month of April. The governor has a very specific timeline she must follow." He went on to say, "I'm grateful I'm not a party chairman anymore."
Langworthy is in his first year in Congress. He was elected in 2022 when Rep. Chris Jacobs announced he would not seek reelection.
He can relate to the current process underway for Higgins seat.
"As someone who has been through it, the naming of the candidate for the special election, will have to occur in the month of February. The nominating petitions, if the calendar remains the same, (depending on redistricting), are typically filed the first week of April and the special election would not be until later in April. So, you would have to declare for the primary before you would know the special election outcome."
Ultimately Langworthy thinks the primary will dictate the term ahead. The special election is for the balance of 2024. Langworthy did not run in the special election last year, but he did beat Carl Paladino in the August primary and he went on to defeat Democrat Max Della Pia in the general election.
