Republican House Majority Shrinks To One Vote After Democratic Rep. Tim Kennedy Is Sworn In

Democratic New York State Sen. Tim Kennedy won a special election against Republican West Seneca Supervisor Gary Dickson in a special election to replace former Rep. Brian Higgins (D).

Kennedy won a lopsided 78.4%-21.6% victory over Dickson.

“We did it. We did it as a COMMUNITY,” Kennedy said on X. “Because that’s what this was all about since Day One. And that’s what it will always be about.”

“I’m honored. I’m humbled. I’m ready to get to Washington and get to work,” he continued.

On Monday, Kennedy was sworn into office, narrowing the Republican conference’s slim majority in the House to 217-213. The GOP can only afford to lose one vote on any bill if all Democrats vote along party lines.

Kennedy will serve for the remainder of Higgins’ term in the House of Representatives, which will end at the end of the year. Higgins resigned from his seat in early February to become the president of the Shea Performing Arts Center in Buffalo.

Kennedy is also planning to run to serve a full term in New York’s 26th District, which encompasses Erie and Niagara counties. The district is considered a safe seat for Democrats.