WASHINGTON – Rep. Brian Higgins, a Buffalo Democrat who in November announced plans to leave Congress in February, has set this Friday as his last day in office.
A Higgins spokesman confirmed late last week that Higgins will resign his seat effective Feb. 2. The move clears the way for Gov. Kathy Hochul to schedule a special election in the heavily Democratic, Buffalo-based 26th Congressional District to choose a lawmaker to serve the balance of Higgins’ term.
Tim Kennedy gains Democratic endorsement to succeed Brian Higgins in Congress
Hochul must call that special election within 10 days, meaning it will likely take place in April. State Sen. Timothy M. Kennedy, a Higgins ally from South Buffalo, won the Democratic nomination for Higgins’ seat earlier this month.
That April election is potentially the first of three in the 26th District this year. Former Grand Island Town Supervisor Nate McMurray plans to challenge Kennedy for the Democratic nomination in a primary for the chance to run for a full two-year term in November.
It’s also possible that the shape of the 26th District could change for the primary and general election. The state’s highest court ruled late last year that the state’s congressional map has to be withdrawn to comply with state law.
It’s official: Decision to name Higgins as new leader of Shea’s called ‘a slam dunk’
The state’s Independent Redistricting Commission is currently working to develop new district lines, which must be approved by the State Legislature.
Higgins is resigning to take over as president and CEO of Shea’s Performing Arts Center on Feb. 5.
In a November interview with The Buffalo News, Higgins indicated that he wanted to leave Congress because of its increasingly partisan and performative nature.
“Congress is not the institution that I came to 19 years ago,” Higgins said….
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply