The Republican committees of Erie and Niagara counties have designated West Seneca Town Supervisor Gary Dickson as their candidate for the special election in New York's 26th Congressional District to replace former Rep. Brian Higgins.

“The residents of the 26th Congressional District deserve a leader with a proven record of service to their country, and their community. Supervisor Gary Dickson is a veteran, a retired law enforcement official, and a Town Supervisor who has lowered taxes and kept his promises to his constituents," Erie County GOP Chairman Michael Kracker said in a statement Wednesday. "Democrats feel entitled to this seat. But residents don't need another career politician, whose greatest political accomplishment is the size of his campaign war chest." They need someone who understands the challenges our communities are facing. Gary Dickson has a record of working across party lines to deliver solutions for residents, and I know he will do the same in Washington."

Dickson will go up against Democratic state Sen. Tim Kennedy, who the party backed next month, for the seat left vacant by Higgins who left Congress earlier this month to be the new president and CEO at Shea's Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo.

The special election will take place on Tuesday, April 30, four weeks after New York's scheduled presidential primary, on April 2. In special elections for Congress in New York state, local party committees choose their candidates.

“Gary Dickson is a veteran, a retired federal law enforcement official, and a community leader. He recognizes the greatness of our country, but he also sees the incredible challenges before us,” said Niagara County GOP Chairman Richard Andres. “He’s ready to do the hard work to ensure residents of the 26th District get the kind of representation they deserve: someone who works every day on their behalf. Gary Dickson is a proven leader. He delivers results, not sound bites.”

“In my career in federal law enforcement, I worked as an investigator and manager, probing cases that included corruption, fraud and money laundering,” Dickson said in a statement. “As West Seneca Town Supervisor, I have carefully managed the town budget and have not increased taxes since taking office. Where some see challenges, I see opportunity. I have always been solution-driven and am eager to take on the many issues facing our country. I know many of you struggle right now; grocery bills have gone up. Inflation is high. Young people can’t afford to get into a home with current interest rates. Folks are concerned about the safety of our communities. Above all, I want to tackle matters important to you.”

The 26th Congressional District encompasses parts of Erie and Niagara counties and the cities of Buffalo and Niagara Falls is considered a safe Democratic seat. In its current form, the district voted for Joe Biden in 2020 by 27 points.

"The Erie County GOP is all in for Trump, which makes their choice in the 26th CD all the more predictable,” the Erie County Democratic Committee said in a statement Wednesday. “Their candidate is part of a party leadership that has consistently posted outrageous conspiracy theories and right-wing fever-swamp nonsense, and the leader of a town administration that has, as the Buffalo News editorial board wrote, 'failed its residents.'” asdasasd.