Irish America has another champion in Congress.
New York State Senator Tim Kennedy handily won a special election in New York's 26th congressional district Tuesday.
The seat was earlier vacated by a retiring Brian Higgins. Both Kennedy and Higgins are Democrats.
Kennedy defeated Republican Gary Dickson in what is a heavily Democratic district.
“We need to elect pro-democracy, anti-MAGA candidates all around the country this November and it starts here in this room in Buffalo, New York, tonight," Kennedy said in a victory speech after the votes were counted.
According to the Associated Press, money raised as well as voter registration played to Kennedy's advantage.
"The Democrat raised $1.7 million as of April 10, compared with Dickson’s $35,430 total, according to campaign finance reports. Kennedy spent just over $1 million in the off-season election, compared with $21,000 for Dickson as the candidates worked to remind voters to go to the polls," the AP reported.
Kennedy must contest a Democratic primary in June but it is expected to be a formality. He will then face Republican attorney Anthony Marecki in the November general election.
Kennedy is highly active on issues of concern to Irish America. He attended, along with his wife Katie, the Echo's Heroes of Irish America awards event in Buffalo on Friday evening, April 26.
