Tim Kennedy is now a congressman.

The Western New York Democrat was sworn in Monday evening as the newest member of the House of Representatives.

Kennedy won a special election last week for New York's 26th Congressional District seat to fill the remainder of the term of former Rep. Brian Higgins, who left Congress in February  to become the new president and CEO at Shea's Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo.

He was sworn into his new role when the House convened for business.

Kennedy easily defeated Republican Gary Dickson for the seat, which for now encompasses parts of Erie and Niagara counties and the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls. The lines will be changed slightly for the general election this fall.

Kennedy comes to Washington after serving in the New York state Senate since 2011. He will serve in Congress for the rest of the year. He is on the ballot, along with Republican attorney Anthony Marecki, in this fall’s general election to serve a full term.