In a special election for a House seat in New York’s 26th District, Democrat Tim Kennedy defeated Republican Gary Dickson, further eroding the GOP’s majority in the chamber. Kennedy’s victory means Democrats now control 213 seats compared to the Republicans’ 217, with five seats remaining vacant. Kennedy will serve the remainder of Democrat Brian Higgins’ term, who resigned to run a local performing arts center and criticized partisan gridlock in Congress.
Despite Higgins’ criticisms, Kennedy decided to run in the special election and for a full term in November, emphasizing the need to restore honor, civility, and functionality to the House of Representatives. President Joe Biden won the district by a significant margin in 2020, making Democrats the favorites to hold onto the seat in November. Kennedy will need to win the June primary before running for a full term, but he may not face significant competition as other candidates face challenges with petition signatures.
Kennedy, a practicing Catholic, has evolved his views on abortion and now supports codifying abortion protections into federal law. In 2019, he voted to protect the right to an abortion in New York up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for non-viable fetuses and when a patient’s health is at risk. He believes that decisions about abortion should be made between a woman, her family, and her doctor, and warns of the consequences of restricting or banning abortion.
During his campaign, Kennedy focused on core Democratic issues such as protecting Social Security and Medicare, defending democracy, and advocating for abortion rights. He was endorsed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s political arm and reiterated his support for Israel while calling for the protection of civilians in the country’s conflict with Hamas. Kennedy believes that the dysfunction and chaos under Republican control in Congress need to be addressed, and he hopes to help make the House more reflective of the people.
Kennedy’s victory in the special election reflects the district’s Democratic-leaning nature and sets him up as a reliable Democratic vote in the House. He is committed to working with his colleagues to deliver for the American people and believes that Democrats have the moral high ground to take back the House in the upcoming elections. By focusing on key Democratic priorities and issues, Kennedy aims to make a positive impact in Congress and help steer the institution away from polarization and dysfunction towards honor and civility.
