BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for New York's 26th Congressional District.
The availability for the NY-26 seat comes after Rep. Brian Higgins announced in November that he would leave Congress early next year. Higgins is now the new president and CEO of Shea's.
Poloncarz issued the following statement regarding the upcoming vacancy in New York’s 26th Congressional District:
“After much consideration and discussing the opportunity with party leaders, former county colleagues now serving in Congress, friends, family, and the people I currently serve, I have decided not to seek the Democratic nomination for Congress.
While I appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support and interest in my candidacy from leaders in our community and members of the public, including the men and women of the Erie County Democratic Committee, my focus will remain on serving the people as Erie County Executive.
With major projects in the works like the new Buffalo Bills Stadium, Renaissance Commerce Park in Lackawanna and ErieNET, and the future implementation of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and our affordable housing initiative, it will be an exceptionally exciting and important time to be in county government.
Congressman Brian Higgins was a tremendous leader for our region, ensuring Buffalo and Erie County were well represented in the halls of Congress. Again, I thank him for being a great representative and a good friend, and I am looking forward to having a strong new Democratic partner in Washington, D.C. to move our agenda forward and deliver for the residents of Erie County.”
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