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New York's 26th Congressional District

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New York's 26th Congressional District
Incumbent
Assumed office: May 6, 2024

New York's 26th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Timothy M. Kennedy (D).

As of the 2020 Census, New York representatives represented an average of 777,529 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 719,298 residents.

Elections

2024

Regular

See also: New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2024

New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 25 Republican primary)

New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 25 Democratic primary)

General election
General election for U.S. House New York District 26

Incumbent Timothy M. Kennedy defeated Anthony Marecki in the general election for U.S. House New York District 26 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Timothy M. Kennedy
Timothy M. Kennedy (D / Working Families Party)
 
65.1
 
209,131
Anthony Marecki (R / Conservative Party)
 
34.8
 
111,772
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
401

Total votes: 321,304
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Timothy M. Kennedy advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Anthony Marecki advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Conservative Party primary election

The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Anthony Marecki advanced from the Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Working Families Party primary election

The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Timothy M. Kennedy advanced from the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Special

See also: New York's 26th Congressional District special election, 2024

General election
Special general election for U.S. House New York District 26

Timothy M. Kennedy defeated Gary Dickson in the special general election for U.S. House New York District 26 on April 30, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Timothy M. Kennedy
Timothy M. Kennedy (D / Working Families Party)
 
68.5
 
48,050
Image of Gary Dickson
Gary Dickson (R / Conservative Party) Candidate Connection
 
31.3
 
21,982
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.2
 
159

Total votes: 70,191
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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2022

See also: New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House New York District 26

Incumbent Brian Higgins defeated Steven Sams in the general election for U.S. House New York District 26 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins (D / Working Families Party)
 
63.9
 
156,883
Image of Steven Sams
Steven Sams (R / Conservative Party) Candidate Connection
 
36.0
 
88,339
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
149

Total votes: 245,371
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 26

Incumbent Brian Higgins defeated Emin Eddie Egriu in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 26 on August 23, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins
 
90.9
 
28,485
Image of Emin Eddie Egriu
Emin Eddie Egriu Candidate Connection
 
8.7
 
2,731
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.3
 
109

Total votes: 31,325
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Steven Sams advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Conservative Party primary election

The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Steven Sams advanced from the Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Working Families Party primary election

The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Brian Higgins advanced from the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

2020

See also: New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House New York District 26

Incumbent Brian Higgins defeated Ricky Donovan, Sr. and Mike Raleigh in the general election for U.S. House New York District 26 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins (D / Working Families Party / Serve America Movement Party)
 
69.8
 
223,366
Image of Ricky Donovan, Sr.
Ricky Donovan, Sr. (R)
 
28.7
 
91,706
Image of Mike Raleigh
Mike Raleigh (G)
 
1.4
 
4,631
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
244

Total votes: 319,947
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Brian Higgins advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Ricky Donovan, Sr. advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Green primary election

The Green primary election was canceled. Mike Raleigh advanced from the Green primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Independence Party primary election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Libertarian primary election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Serve America Movement Party primary election

The Serve America Movement Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Brian Higgins advanced from the Serve America Movement Party primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

Working Families Party primary election

The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Brian Higgins advanced from the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 26.

2018

See also: New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House New York District 26

Incumbent Brian Higgins defeated Renee Zeno in the general election for U.S. House New York District 26 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins (D)
 
73.3
 
169,166
Image of Renee Zeno
Renee Zeno (R)
 
26.7
 
61,488

Total votes: 230,654
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 26

Incumbent Brian Higgins advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 26 on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
Image of Brian Higgins
Brian Higgins

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 26

Renee Zeno advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 26 on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
Image of Renee Zeno
Renee Zeno

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2016

See also: New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Brian Higgins (D) defeated Shelly Schratz (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Neither candidate faced any opposition in the primaries on June 28, 2016.[1][2]

U.S. House, New York District 26 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngBrian Higgins Incumbent 74.6% 215,289
     Republican Shelly Schratz 25.4% 73,377
Total Votes 288,666
Source: New York Board of Elections

2014

See also: New York's 26th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 26th Congressional District of New York held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Brian Higgins (D) defeated Kathy Weppner (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, New York District 26 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngBrian Higgins Incumbent 68.1% 113,210
     Republican Kathy Weppner 31.8% 52,909
     N/A Write-in votes 0% 5
Total Votes 166,124
Source: New York State Board of Elections, NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed August 30, 2021

2012

See also: New York's 26th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 26th Congressional District of New York held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent from the 27th District, Brian Higgins won the election in the district.[3]

U.S. House, New York District 26 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngBrian Higgins Incumbent 74.8% 212,588
     Republican Michael Madigan 25.2% 71,666
     N/A Write-in votes 0% 17
Total Votes 284,271
Source: New York State Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012," accessed September 1, 2021

2011

On May 24, 2011, Kathy Hochul (D) was elected to the United States House by special election to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of United States Representative Christopher Lee. She also ran on the Working Families ticket. She defeated Jane L. Corwin (R, running also on the Conservative Party and Independence Party tickets), Jack Davis (Tea Party), and Ian L. Murphy (Green Party).[4]

U.S. House, New York Congressional District 26 Special Election, 2011
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngKathy Hochul 47.3% 52,713
     Republican Jane L. Corwin 42.4% 47,187
     Tea Party Jack Davis 9% 10,029
     Green Ian L. Murphy 1.1% 1,177
     N/A Write-in votes 0.2% 232
Total Votes 111,338

2010
On November 2, 2010, Christopher John Lee won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Philip A. Fedele (D) in the general election.[5]

U.S. House, New York District 26 General Election, 2010
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngChristopher John Lee incumbent 73.6% 151,449
     Democratic Philip A. Fedele 26.4% 54,307
     N/A Write-in votes 0% 49
Total Votes 205,805


2008
On November 4, 2008, Christopher John Lee won election to the United States House. He defeated Alice Kryzan (D) and Jonathan P. Powers (Working Families) in the general election.[6]

U.S. House, New York District 26 General Election, 2008
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngChristopher John Lee 55% 148,607
     Democrat Alice Kryzan 40.5% 109,615
     Working Families Jonathan P. Powers 4.5% 12,104
     N/A Write-in votes 0% 9
Total Votes 270,335


2006
On November 7, 2006, Thomas M. Reynolds won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jack Davis (D) in the general election.[7]

U.S. House, New York District 26 General Election, 2006
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngThomas M. Reynolds incumbent 48.8% 109,257
     Democratic Jack Davis 45.1% 100,914
     N/A Blank/Void/Scattering 6.2% 13,793
Total Votes 223,964


2004
On November 2, 2004, Thomas M. Reynolds won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jack Davis (D) in the general election.[8]

U.S. House, New York District 26 General Election, 2004
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngThomas M. Reynolds incumbent 49% 157,466
     Democratic Jack Davis 39.1% 125,613
     N/A Blank/Void/Scattering 11.8% 38,001
Total Votes 321,080


2002
On November 5, 2002, Thomas M. Reynolds won election to the United States House. He defeated Ayesha F. Nariman (D), Shawn Harris (Right to Life) and Paul E. Fallon (Green) in the general election.[9]

U.S. House, New York District 26 General Election, 2002
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngThomas M. Reynolds 63.1% 135,089
     Democratic Ayesha F. Nariman 19.2% 41,140
     Right to Life Shawn Harris 1.9% 4,084
     Green Paul E. Fallon 1.5% 3,146
     N/A Blank/Void/Scattering 14.3% 30,535
Total Votes 213,994


2000
On November 7, 2000, Maurice D. Hinchey won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Bob Moppert (R) and Paul J. Laux (Right to Life) in the general election.[10]

U.S. House, New York District 26 General Election, 2000
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngMaurice D. Hinchey incumbent 57% 140,395
     Republican Bob Moppert 34.1% 83,856
     Right to Life Paul J. Laux 0.9% 2,328
     N/A Blank/Void/Scattering 8% 19,624
Total Votes 246,203


District map

Redistricting

2020-2024

See also: Redistricting in New York after the 2020 census

On February 28, 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed a new congressional map into law. The state Assembly voted 115-35 to approve the map on February 27. The state Senate voted 45-18 to approve the map the same day.[11][12][13]

According to Nicholas Fandos of The New York Times, "Although a pair of swing districts would become more Democratic, lawmakers in Albany left the partisan makeup of 24 of the state’s 26 districts largely intact. The middle-ground approach reflected a desire to avoid another protracted court fight like the one in New York that helped swing control of the House to Republicans in 2022, while still better positioning Democrats in key districts."[12]

On December 12, 2023, the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, ruled in a 4-3 decision that the independent redistricting commission did not follow the state's congressional redistricting process and ordered the commission to reconvene and re-draw congressional district boundaries by February 28 for use in the 2024 elections.[14] The court's majority opinion stated, "In 2014, the voters of New York amended our Constitution to provide that legislative districts be drawn by an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC). The Constitution demands that process, not districts drawn by courts. Nevertheless, the IRC failed to discharge its constitutional duty. That dereliction is undisputed. The Appellate Division concluded that the IRC can be compelled to reconvene to fulfill that duty; we agree. There is no reason the Constitution should be disregarded."[15]

How does redistricting in New York work? On March 14, 2012, the state legislature approved a constitutional amendment to establish new redistricting procedures beginning in 2020. The New York Constitution requires that two successive legislatures approve an amendment in order to qualify it for final approval by popular vote. The legislature approved the amendment a second time in 2013. On November 4, 2014, voters approved the amendment, the provisions of which were set to take effect during the 2020 redistricting cycle.[16]

The 10-member commission comprises the following members:[16]

  1. Two members must be appointed by the temporary president of the New York State Senate.
  2. Two members must be appointed by the speaker of the New York State Assembly.
  3. Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Senate.
  4. Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Assembly.
  5. Two members must appointed by the aforementioned eight commissioners. These two appointees cannot have been enrolled in the top two major political parties in the state.

The legislature must approve the commission's plans by a simple up/down vote. The legislature must reject two separate sets of redistricting plans before it will be able to amend the commission's proposals. All districts will be required "to preserve minority rights, be equally populated, and consist of compact and contiguous territory." Further, state law will require that districts "not be drawn to discourage competition or to favor/disfavor candidates or parties." In prior redistricting cycles, authority for both congressional and state legislative redistricting was vested with the state legislature. An advisory commission participated in the process.[16]

State law requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. State legislative districts must also take into account the "historic and traditional significance of counties."[16]


Below are the congressional maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for New York’s 2024 state legislative elections. The map on the right was in effect for New York’s 2024 state legislative elections. The map on the right was in effect for New York’s 2024 state legislative elections.

New York District 26
before 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

New York District 26
after 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.


2010-2011

This is the 26th Congressional District of New York after the 2001 redistricting process.
See also: Redistricting in New York after the 2010 census

In 2011, the New York State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+11. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made New York's 26th the 126th most Republican district nationally.[17]

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+10. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 10 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New York's 26th the 128th most Democratic district nationally.[18]

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 61.7%-36.6%.[19]

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New York's 26th the 131st most Democratic district nationally.[20]

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 60.8% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 37.4%.[21]

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+11. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New York's 26th Congressional District the 112th most Democratic nationally.[22]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.04. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.04 points toward that party.[23]

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. New York State Board of Elections, "Filings received for the 2016 Primary Election," accessed May 15, 2016
  2. Politico, "New York House Races Results," June 28, 2016
  3. Politico, "2012 Election Map, New York," accessed November 7, 2012
  4. Statement of Canvass, State of New York, State Board of Elections, "26th Congressional District"
  5. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
  6. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
  7. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
  8. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
  9. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
  10. U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
  11. Associated Press, "New York gets a new congressional map that gives Democrats a slight edge in fight for House," February 28, 2024
  12. 12.0 12.1 The New York Times, "Democrats Propose N.Y. Congressional Map With Slight Tilt in Their Favor," February 27, 2024
  13. Politico, "New congressional maps approved in New York," February 28, 2024
  14. New York Daily News, "New York’s top court orders House map redrawn," December 12, 2023
  15. State of New York Court of Appeals, "Opinion No. 90, In the Matter of Anthony S. Hoffmann v. New York State Independent Redistricting Commission," December 12, 2023
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 All About Redistricting, "New York," accessed May 8, 2015
  17. Cook Political Report, "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)," accessed July 1, 2025
  18. Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
  19. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
  20. Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
  21. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
  22. Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  23. FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
Pat Ryan (D)
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
Democratic Party (21)
Republican Party (7)