Who's In the Race

Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY) faces Republican Dennis Hannon in the Nov. 3 general election in New York's 26th District. Kennedy first won the seat in an April 30, 2024, special election after Rep. Brian Higgins vacated it. ​

Kennedy represented Western New York in the state Senate before entering Congress, chaired the Senate Transportation Committee, and trained as an occupational therapist, working 11 years with geriatric and pediatric patients. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Hannon describes himself as a technology professional who grew up working in his father's construction business. He also ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

What They Stand For

Kennedy has proposed lowering the cost of living and making Western New York more affordable, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and strengthening those programs to expand access,
  • Opposing tariffs he says will cost Western New York jobs and raise the cost of living, and backing legislation to protect labor rights,
  • A woman's right to make her own health care decisions; and
  • Banning assault weapons and military-grade body armor, and ensuring local law enforcement has resources to address violent crime.

Hannon has proposed stronger cooperation between local and federal agencies on immigration enforcement focused on serious public-safety threats and disrupting fentanyl trafficking, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Tax rebates for working-class families and lower prescription-drug costs for seniors, including pharmacy-benefit-manager reform,
  • Expanding energy production and opposing state or local restrictions on energy sources or extraction leases,
  • Stronger online privacy safeguards for children and limits on commercial AI-generated content involving minors; and
  • Opposing gender-affirming medical care for minors and calling for criminal penalties for providers.

The Money Behind the Race

Tim Kennedy raised about $2.3 million through June 30 and had about $1.2 million in cash on hand. Federal Election Commission filings show no receipts on record for Hannon through the same period.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 11. Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. As of Oct. 13, Kalshi traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Kennedy, a 94.07 percent chance of winning.

Democrats have carried the 26th District in each of the last two cycles: Brian Higgins won with about 91 percent in 2022, and Kennedy took the seat with about 59 percent in 2024. Democrats held the majority of New York's U.S. House delegation in both 2022 and 2024, winning 18 of 26 seats in 2022 and 19 of 26 in 2024. In the 2024 presidential race, Kamala Harris carried New York with about 55 percent of the vote.

Voters in New York's 26th District can cast ballots early or on Election Day, Nov. 3. The voter-registration deadline is Saturday, Oct. 24. Mail-ballot applications are due by Saturday, Oct. 24, if submitted by mail or online, or by Monday, Nov. 2, if submitted in person. Early voting runs Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1; in Erie County, polls are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and noon to 9 p.m. On Election Day, polls are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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