Tim Kennedy to be sworn in Monday for NY-26 seat

Tim Kennedy is now a member of Congress.

The Western New York Democrat was sworn in Monday evening as a new member of the House of Representatives.

Kennedy won a special election last week for New York’s 26th Congressional District seat to fill the remainder of the term of former Rep. Brian Higgins, who left Congress in February to become the new president and CEO at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo.

He was sworn in to his new position when the House convened for business.

Kennedy easily beat Republican Gary Dickson for the seat, which currently encompasses parts of Erie and Niagara counties as well as the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls. The lines will be changed slightly for this fall’s general election.

Kennedy comes to Washington after serving in the New York State Senate since 2011. He will serve in Congress for the remainder of the year. He is on the ballot, alongside Republican attorney Anthony Marecki, in this fall’s general election for a full term.