For the last few years, Erie County Democratic Chairman Jeremy Zellner has attempted the impossible: keeping the historically fractious collection of local Democratic candidates and officeholders united, or at least refraining from open warfare against each other.
But all bets are off after Rep. Brian Higgins announced his plans to vacate the region’s biggest political seat to become president of Shea’s Performing Arts Center. The various camps have been jostling behind the scenes for position and speculation has already begun about who might fill the congressional seat based in Buffalo.
“This hasn’t been a huge secret within the political world, and folks have let me know how they felt,” Zellner said. “We are definitely seeking candidates who are interested in continuing this tradition that Congressman Higgins has built of great service for this community.”
The situation is fluid, but here are a few potential candidates to watch:
State Sen. Tim Kennedy. The senator from South Buffalo is 46 and came up as a member of Higgins’ political organization. Kennedy’s influence in Albany has grown substantially since Democrats won control of the Senate in 2018.
Kennedy is known as a hard worker and has proven to be a tremendous fundraiser. During a six-month period earlier this year, he raised $662,000 in campaign funds – vastly more than any member of the State Legislature.
Because of campaign finance laws, he couldn’t directly use any of his $2.1 million state war chest for a federal race, but could easily throw around funds to the party or to influence the support of other politicians.
Additionally, he is popular among two important constituencies that have not previously been aligned: white voters in South Buffalo, who regularly turn out in large numbers, and Black voters on the East Side. After surviving a close race against Betty Jean Grant in 2014, Kennedy built relationships in the Black community and is a…
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