BUFFALO, N.Y. — While early voting is already underway in that "race to replace" in the 26th Congressional District, the regular election is set for next Tuesday, April 30.
2 On Your Side was able to question both candidates again Wednesday with their different approaches to winning that seat as this region's newest Representative in Washington.
RELATED: Here's what you need to know about voting in the 26th Congressional District special election
After 14 years in Albany preceded by time as an Erie County Legislator, State Senator Tim Kennedy can count on his recognition factor now, boosted by TV ads in the heavily Democratic district, and literally bank on his prodigious ability to raise campaign funds
The Democratic candidate told us, "I don't take anything for granted. I know that we have to get our vote out there and I believe that the vision that I've set forward has resonated."
We asked: Some people may claim you're bought and paid for. That there's a lot of special interests that have contributed to your campaigns through the years. What do you say to those people that say, look, Tim Kennedy is just just a fundraising guy, that's basically what he does?
Kennedy replied: I'm really proud of all of the hundreds of individuals that have supported me over this process, that have stepped up and said they want a government that is reflective of the people. They want a government that is functional.
After four years as West Seneca town supervisor and his re-election, former FBI agent Gary Dickson is mounting a much lower-volume campaign appealing to voters, with a self-proclaimed frugal approach to government spending.
2 On Your Side pointed out to Republican candidate Dickson "he (Tim Kennedy) has brought a lot of resources back in to our community. So some people are gonna say he's doing a good job doing that?"
Dickson responded: "Again, he's doing a great job wasting our money. Billions of dollars, and how much has the state budget gone up in just a few short years since he's been there? So what benefit?"
Dickson added: "All politicians are going to say nice things. What have they actually done? When I say I'm going to control spending. I control spending. When I say I'm not going to increase taxes, I don't increase taxes."
Kennedy said: "My opponent clearly doesn't know me very well. The bottom line is I have been a public servant."
Dickson stated" "What you'll hear from me is how have we improved things for our residents."
Both candidates are frustrated with the current climate in Congress, which makes it very difficult to accomplish much on national policy right now. That especially applies to the southern border and immigration.
Dickson says President Biden could do more to fix it. Kennedy says Congress should have passed the bipartisan immigration reform bill.