Timothy Kennedy

Timothy Kennedy speaking at the New York state senate in Albany last year. Kennedy won the special election for New York's 26th district congressional seat by over 36 percentage points.

Timothy Kennedy speaking at the New York state senate in Albany last year. Kennedy won the special election for New York's 26th district congressional seat by over 36 percentage points.

Timothy Kennedy, a Democratic New York state senator, has won the special election for the congressional seat vacated by the retired Democrat Brian Higgins.

Kennedy easily defeated his Republican opponent Gary Dickson for New York's 26th district seat, which includes Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

While Kennedy's victory was widely anticipated in the left-leaning district, the vote margin between both candidates was much larger than forecasted.

The Democrat won by over 36 percentage points — a massive outperformance by the Democratic Party. Cook Political Report, an independent newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns, had expected Kennedy to win the seat by nine percentage points.

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