Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has announced that he will not seek the Democratic nomination for the vacancy in New York’s 26th Congressional District.
The seat was left vacant after Brian Higgins announced plans to take a position as the new president and CEO at Shea's Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo, which he will begin Feb. 5, 2024.
On Sunday, Poloncarz issued a statement regarding the upcoming vacancy in New York’s 26th Congressional District:
“After much consideration and discussing the opportunity with party leaders, former county colleagues now serving in Congress, friends, family, and the people I currently serve, I have decided not to seek the Democratic nomination for Congress.
While I appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support and interest in my candidacy from leaders in our community and members of the public, including the men and women of the Erie County Democratic Committee, my focus will remain on serving the people as Erie County Executive.
With major projects in the works like the new Buffalo Bills Stadium, Renaissance Commerce Park in Lackawanna and ErieNET, and the future implementation of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and our affordable housing initiative, it will be an exceptionally exciting and important time to be in county government.
Congressman Brian Higgins was a tremendous leader for our region, ensuring Buffalo and Erie County were well represented in the halls of Congress. Again, I thank him for being a great representative and a good friend, and I am looking forward to having a strong new Democratic partner in Washington, D.C. to move our agenda forward and deliver for the residents of Erie County.”
Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Jeremy Zellner also release a statement, saying:
“From his first campaign for Comptroller in 2005 to winning a historic fourth term as County Executive 18 years later, Mark Poloncarz has always put the people of Erie County and public service ahead of politics.
His decision to forgo a run for Congress is consistent with his principles, and I am proud that Mark will continue leading our community to a new era of growth, fiscal stability, and economic opportunity.
He would have been a formidable candidate for the 26th District seat and a strong voice for Western New York in the House of Representatives, but this is his decision and I respect and support it.
Fortunately, the Erie County Democratic Party has built an extraordinary leadership bench, and I look forward to working closely with our committee membership in the weeks ahead to find a worthy successor to Congressman Brian Higgins.”
