Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-N.Y.) took his oath of office on the House floor on Monday, succeeding the recently retired Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) and narrowing the Republican advantage to a mere one-vote margin for any party-line decision.
In last week’s special election for New York’s 26th Congressional District, Kennedy emerged victorious over her GOP opponent, Gary Dickson. Prior to this, Kennedy had served as a state senator.
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“I am truly humbled by the chance God has given us to come together in this moment,” he expressed while taking the oath on the floor. “The people of western New York have entrusted me with this incredible and significant responsibility.”
The House of Representatives currently consists of 430 lawmakers, with 217 Republicans and 213 Democrats. This has resulted in a narrowing of the majority held by the GOP conference. In recent months, the Republican party has seen several members choose to resign from office early, leading to a thinning of their margin.
The next position to be filled is the one previously held by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). A special election will take place on May 21 in his Central Valley district.
Higgins stepped down from his position in Congress in February, bringing an end to his almost twenty-year tenure in the House. He made this decision due to the increasing dysfunction and the slow and frustrating pace of progress in Washington, D.C. Currently, Higgins holds the role of president and CEO at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo. Alongside several other House members, he chose not to seek reelection, expressing their dissatisfaction with the chaos that was prevailing on Capitol Hill.
The New York district stretches along the scenic Niagara River, encompassing the vibrant cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls. In response to a tragic mass shooting that occurred in Buffalo in 2022, Kennedy took up the cause of advocating for comprehensive gun safety legislation within the New York State Senate.
“I think that the qualities that define us in the Buffalo-Niagara region are the same values cherished by all Americans,” Kennedy expressed during his speech. “The hope that we have as a community in western New York to reach our full potential is shared by every community in our nation.”
Kennedy is set to complete Higgins’s term until January and will also be running for a full term in the upcoming November election.
“I am eager to collaborate with you in order to bring about positive change in our country,” he emphasized. “I have high hopes that we, as representatives in this chamber, can showcase exemplary leadership on the global platform, something that our fellow Americans can truly take pride in.”
