Buffalo’s Congressman Calling It Quits

Last week, many people were speculating about whether it was true that Brian Higgins was planning to leave government service and resign from Congress. Well, it seems that those rumors are, in fact, true, as the congressman announced in a press conference that he is leaving office.

On Sunday, November 12, 2023, Congressman Higgins held a press conference at the Buffalo History Museum in Buffalo's Park Meadow neighborhood, where he officially announced his exit from the US Congress and laid out some of the reasons he's made this decision.

Why Is Brian Higgins Leaving Congress?

After almost 20 years in the US House of Representatives, Higgins alluded to the primary reason he's leaving Congress is due to the Federal legislative body heading in the wrong direction.

I've always been a little impatient, and that trait has helped us deliver remarkable progress for this community. But the pace in Washington, D.C. can be slow and frustrating, especially this year. Therefore, after thoughtful consideration, I have made the difficult decision to leave Congress and explore other ways I can build up and serve Buffalo and Western New York.
-Brian Higgins

During his talk, he confirmed he will leave office in February 2024.

Who Will Replace Representative Higgins In Congress?

With Rep. Higgins' announcement that he's leaving Congress, his resignation will create a gap in representation that New York has in the House of Representatives. Higgins isn't the only Member of Congress frustrated with the current state of political affairs. According to an article by the Associated Press, several others are heading the door.

So, who will replace Higgins once he leaves office? That answer is actually up to the people of Western New York.

New York State law requires a Special Election to fill the seat. According to reporting from WKBW-TV, that special election may happen as soon as April 2024.

Several names are being mentioned as potential candidates for the special election. Those names include Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, County Executive Mark Poloncarz, State Senator Tim Kennedy, and others. We're going to have to wait and see what happens... And when you thought that election season was over, here we go again.