New York's 26th Congressional District
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 | ||
| ✔ |  | 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 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- James Speaker (Independent)
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brian Higgins (D)
- Mohammed Jahangir Alam (D)
- Nate McMurray (D)
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 | ||
| ✔ | | Timothy M. Kennedy (D / Working Families Party) | 68.5 | 48,050 |
 | Gary Dickson (R / Conservative Party) | 31.3 | 21,982 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 159 | ||
| Total votes: 70,191 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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 | ||
| ✔ |  | Brian Higgins (D / Working Families Party) | 63.9 | 156,883 |
 | Steven Sams (R / Conservative Party) | 36.0 | 88,339 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 149 | ||
| Total votes: 245,371 | |||
| = 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Brian Higgins | 90.9 | 28,485 |
 | Emin Eddie Egriu | 8.7 | 2,731 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.3 | 109 | ||
| Total votes: 31,325 | |||
| = 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
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 | ||
| ✔ | | Brian Higgins (D / Working Families Party / Serve America Movement Party) | 69.8 | 223,366 |
 | Ricky Donovan, Sr. (R) | 28.7 | 91,706 | |
 | Mike Raleigh (G) | 1.4 | 4,631 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 244 | ||
| Total votes: 319,947 | |||
| = 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
- Emin Eddie Egriu (D)
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
- Jim Samsel (R)
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
- Ricky Donovan, Sr. (Independence Party)
Libertarian primary election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Emin Eddie Egriu (L)
- Brian Higgins (L)
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
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 | ||
| ✔ | | Brian Higgins (D) | 73.3 | 169,166 |
 | Renee Zeno (R) | 26.7 | 61,488 | |
| Total votes: 230,654 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = 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 advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 26 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Brian Higgins |
| ||||
| = 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Renee Zeno |
| ||||
| = 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
- Rosanne DiPizio (R)
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]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic |  Brian Higgins Incumbent |
74.6% | 215,289 | |
| Republican | Shelly Schratz | 25.4% | 73,377 | |
| Total Votes | 288,666 | |||
| Source: New York Board of 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.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian 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
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]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Brian 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 | Kathy 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 | Christopher 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 | Christopher 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 | Thomas 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 | Thomas 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 | Thomas 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 | Maurice 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
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]
- Two members must be appointed by the temporary president of the New York State Senate.
- Two members must be appointed by the speaker of the New York State Assembly.
- Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Senate.
- Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Assembly.
- 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
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
- Redistricting in New York
- New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2024
- New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2022
- New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2020
- New York's 26th Congressional District election, 2018
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Filings received for the 2016 Primary Election," accessed May 15, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "New York House Races Results," June 28, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, New York," accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ Statement of Canvass, State of New York, State Board of Elections, "26th Congressional District"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ Associated Press, "New York gets a new congressional map that gives Democrats a slight edge in fight for House," February 28, 2024
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 The New York Times, "Democrats Propose N.Y. Congressional Map With Slight Tilt in Their Favor," February 27, 2024
- ↑ Politico, "New congressional maps approved in New York," February 28, 2024
- ↑ New York Daily News, "New York’s top court orders House map redrawn," December 12, 2023
- ↑ 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
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 All About Redistricting, "New York," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)," accessed July 1, 2025
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
