ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. — Both the Erie County and Niagara County Republican committees have officially named a special election candidate for the April 30 special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins.
Town Supervisor Gary Dickson of West Seneca was endorsed by the GOP for the 26th Congressional District.
Dickson won his re-election this past November and will now square off against the endorsed the Democratic candidate, State Senator Tim Kennedy.
Dickson notes his re-election as supervisor with a GOP town sweep in November as he touted his record of not raising town taxes for residents over the past four years.
But there has been some criticism of West Seneca government on issues regarding the town pool and eminent domain proceedings with local property owners over sewer manhole issues.
Democrats also ripped Dickson as a representative of a GOP party leadership tied to "conspiracy theories and right wing nonsense."
Erie County GOP Chairman Michael Kracker countered that, “The residents of the 26th Congressional District deserve a leader with a proven record of service to their country, and their community. Supervisor Gary Dickson is a veteran, a retired law enforcement official (27 years as an FBI agent) , and a Town Supervisor who has lowered taxes and kept his promises to his constituents, Democrats feel entitled to this seat. But residents don't need another career politician, whose greatest political accomplishment is the size of his campaign war chest. They need someone who understands the challenges our communities are facing. Gary Dickson has a record of working across party lines to deliver solutions for residents, and I know he will do the same in Washington."
Niagara County GOP Chairman Rich Andres added: "Gary Dickson is a veteran, a retired federal law enforcement official, and a community leader. He recognizes the greatness of our country, but he also sees the incredible challenges before us. He’s ready to do the hard work to ensure residents of the 26th District get the kind of representation they deserve: someone who works every day on their behalf. Gary Dickson is a proven leader. He delivers results, not sound bites.”
Dickson told reporters on Wednesday morning that "I do not take this decision lightly. I'm running because the public deserves a choice."
Dickson added: "Our next congressman should not be anointed by the Erie County Democratic Party, it is an election, not a coronation."
He says the public cares about such issues as taxes, inflation, crime, and immigration. On that last point of immigration Dickson said he could not give specifics as it is a complicated issue. He went on to say it must be resolved by Congress working together.
Dickson also emphasized he believes in term limits and that he understands the disgust over the current Capitol Hill climate, which former Congressman Higgins mentioned as one of the reasons for his resignation from the U.S. House of Representatives.
"As far as him being frustrated, I absolutely get it," Dickson said. "That's why I'm for term limits, frankly, because nobody is indispensable. Everybody can be replaced. Everybody else has good ideas. So you do your time. Whatever term limits we would come up with, whether it's 10 years, or 16 years, or whatever, but after a while, you get stale."
Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the special election to replace Congressman Brian Higgins in the House will be held on Tuesday, April 30.
Higgins vacated his seat on Feb. 2 to take over as President and CEO of Shea's Performing Arts Center.
The Erie County Democratic Committee announced last month that State Senator Tim Kennedy had earned their endorsement for the special election.