ShawnLocal politics time: Congressman Brian Higgins steps down after almost 20 years on the job to take the top spot at Shea’s Theatre. A special election will be called, and the Democratic primary is about to be a Royal Rumble with a bunch of white guys with Irish names.
A democrat will most certainly win the NY 26th. The only notable Republican who resides in the district is Carl Paladino, and he pursues politics in the other more rural district (gotta love being able to establish more than residence). He lost the primary for that district last cycle to Nick Langworthy.
So far, the only candidate who’s thrown his hat in the ring is burgeoning perennial candidate Nate McMurray. He has ran 3 campaigns in the old NY 26th (the urban one was 27th back then, prior to the state losing a seat)
The favorite before anyone says so is State Senator Tim Kennedy, from South Buffalo. Other names that’ll be in the conversation - State Senator Sean Ryan, Assemblyman Pat Burke, County Clerk Mickey Kearns
County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Mayor Byron Brown are unlikely. Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes is majority leader, so she may not either
I’d like to see others outside the South Buffalo boys club