Democratic state Sen. Tim Kennedy secured victory in the New York special election for the state’s 26th Congressional District, succeeding former Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins. This win further reduces the House Republican majority.
The Associated Press declared the race shortly after Kennedy established a commanding lead with 75 percent of the vote compared to Republican West Seneca Supervisor Gary Dickson's 25 percent in early results.
Dickson, a West Seneca supervisor, is a veteran of the Army and FBI. Kennedy, who has served in the New York state Senate since January 2011, has expressed his regard for Higgins as a mentor.
His victory increases the number of Democrats in the House to 213, with 217 Republicans and five vacancies. The district has been reliably Democratic since Higgins narrowly won his initial term in 2004. Kennedy will be required to run for a full, two-year term in November.
Source: The Washington Examiner
