NEW YORK — Democratic Rep. Timothy Kennedy won reelection to a U.S. House seat representing New York on Tuesday. The victory gives Kennedy his first full term in the western New York district.
He was elected to Congress in a special election in April following the resignation of Democrat Brian Higgins, who held the seat since 2005. The district includes the cities of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lackawanna, Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.
Kennedy gave a victory speech at Democratic headquarters in Buffalo Tuesday evening.
"This victory tonight is all of ours here in Western New York.," Kennedy said. "We left it all on the field this election cycle. Everyone in this room picked up the torch that generations before us carried in order to protect the freedoms that we hold so dear as Americans. The freedom to pursue an education, the freedom from the fear of gun violence, the freedom to love who you want."
Kennedy thanked everyone from his family to union leaders to party chairs for helping him get reelected.
"I am incredibly privileged and honored on a heartfelt level for the love and support that each and every one of you have shown me, my family, my team our campaign," he said. "We know that the future is bright here in our community, our state and our nation because of each and every one of you that stand up and fight for what's right for, fight for what we believe in."
Prior to arriving in Congress, Kennedy served seven terms in the state Senate, including as chair of the transportation committee.
The Associated Press declared Kennedy the winner at 10:00 p.m. EST.
