2024 New York's 26th congressional district special election

The 2024 New York's 26th congressional district special election was held on April 30, 2024, to fill the vacant seat in New York's 26th congressional district. The seat became vacant after Democratic incumbent Brian Higgins resigned on February 2, 2024, to become president of Shea's Performing Arts Center. The early voting period ran from April 20 to April 28, 2024.

The Associated Press declared Tim Kennedy the winner within an hour of the polls closing. He will serve in the United States House of Representatives for the remainder of the 118th United States Congress.

Nominees
New York does not use primary elections when filling vacancies. Instead, party officials in the affected counties are responsible for choosing nominees.

Democratic Party
The Erie County Democratic Committee chose their nominee on February 21, 2024.

Nominated

 * Tim Kennedy, state senator from the 63rd district (2011–present)

Lost nomination

 * Nate McMurray, former town supervisor of Grand Island and nominee for the 27th district in 2018 and 2020 (ran as an independent)
 * Jeanne Vinal, Erie County legislator (2020–present)

Declined

 * Byron Brown, mayor of Buffalo (2006–present), former chair of the New York Democratic Party (2016–2019), and former state senator from the 60th district (2001–2005)
 * Mark Poloncarz, Erie County executive (2012–present)

Republican Party
The Erie County Republican Committee chose their nominee on February 21, 2024.

Nominated

 * Gary Dickson, town supervisor of West Seneca (2019–present)

Withdrawn

 * Nate McMurray, former town supervisor of Grand Island and nominee for the 27th district in 2018 and 2020