Campaign Report — New York House special election: What you need to know

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View Online Campaign Report Campaign Report The Big Story  New York House special election: What you need to know  Western New Yorkers are heading to the polls to decide who will replace longtime Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins, who retired earlier this year, citing the "slow and frustrating" pace of Congress. © AP Democrats have a shot to narrow – at least briefly – the already razor-thin GOP House majority, as New York's 26th Congressional District decides the racebetween Buffalo state Sen. Tim Kennedy (D) and West Seneca Town Supervisor Gary Dickson (R), on Tuesday.    Longtime Rep. Brian Higgins (D) retired from Congress in February citing the "slow and frustrating" pace. The chamber has been frequently preoccupied by Republican in-fighting over leadership, messy impeachment efforts targeting Biden administration officials and other feuds.    "I've always been a little impatient, and that trait has helped us deliver remarkable progress for this community," Higgins, 64, said in a statement announcing his early retirement. "But the pace in Washington, D.C. can be slow and frustrating, especially this year."    He is now the president of Shea's Performing Arts Center in Buffalo.    Kennedy is favored to win the special election to fill the rest of Higgins' term. But candidates won't get a long break from the campaign trail after Tuesday. A primary election for the seat will take place in June, followed by a general election in November to serve a full two-year term in the next Congress.    President Biden won the district by double digits in the 2020 presidential election.    Extras:   Polls close at 9 p.m., and any voter registered in New York's 26th Congressional District can cast a ballot in the special election. Kennedy and Dickson took part in a live, televised debate last week. Catch the replay here.  Welcome to The Hill's Campaign Report, I'm Liz Crisp. Each week we track the key stories you need to know to stay ahead of the 2024 election and who will set the agenda in Washington.  Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  Key election stories and other recent campaign coverage: Democratic primary in Washington heats up with high-profile endorsements A Democratic House primary in Washington's Olympic Peninsula is drawing national attention, with a number of the state's elected officials taking sides in the race. State Sen. Emily Randall (D) and Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz (D) are running to replace retiring Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), who is backing Franz. But Randall scored one of the most surprising endorsements of the election cycle so …  Full Story Democratic Senate incumbents leading in 2 swing states: Polling Incumbent Democratic senators running for reelection in two key battleground states lead their Republican opponents in polling released Monday. The polling of Pennsylvania and Wisconsin from CBS News/YouGov showed Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) leading Republican nominee Dave McCormick by 7 points, 46 percent to 39 percent, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) leading her likely GOP challenger Eric Hovde also by 7 points, 48 percent to …  Full Story Obama says Trump 'not considered a serious guy' in New York Former President Obama slammed former President Trump in a new podcast for not being considered a "serious guy" in New York City — where Trump spent most of his time before the White House, growing his fame and businesses. Obama was asked on the "SmartLess" podcast by co-host Jason Bateman whether he was surprised how quickly the "protection and passion for democracy was diluted" in recent years. Obama responded by noting the …  Full Story The Countdown  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: 75 days until the Republican National Convention    111 days until the Democratic National Convention 189 days until the 2024 general election In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: Trump wonders if Columbia protesters will get 'same kind of treatment' as Jan. 6 rioters Former President Trump blasted the protests taking place on college campuses nationwide over the war in Gaza and questioned if Columbia University students who took over a building will face similar consequences to those who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. “This whole country is up in arms, breaking into colleges, knocking the hell out of Columbia University,” Trump told reporters Tuesday, standing outside … Full Story Immigration again tops list of most important problems in US: Gallup For the third straight month, immigration topped the list of the most important problems for Americans in the Gallup poll. The poll found that 27 percent of Americans said the most important issue facing the country right now is immigration — marking the longest consecutive period in Gallup polling that immigration has been a top issue in the U.S. Twenty-eight percent of Americans said both in February and in March that immigration … Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines regarding campaigns and elections: More Democratic voters move to Georgia ahead of upcoming elections (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)   Chicago Mayor Johnson to shift $80M in American Rescue Plan spending, restart guaranteed income program (Chicago Tribune)  Phil Lyman's GOP lieutenant governor pick not eligible to run in Utah, elections office rules (The Salt Lake Tribune)  What We're Reading  Election news we've flagged from other outlets: How far Trump would go (Time) The Exit Interviews: 12 departing lawmakers tell us what Congress is really like. (New York Times)  Elsewhere Today  Key stories on The Hill right now: Democratic leaders say they'll shield Speaker Johnson from Greene motion to vacate House Democratic leaders announced Tuesday that they will protect Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) from a potential conservative coup, all but ensuring the Speaker will keep the gavel through the remainder of the term. The proclamation from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (Mass.) and caucus Chair Pete … Read more McConnell's exit isn't going to be a quiet one Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is on the way out. But he's not going quietly. A GOP free agent of sorts, McConnell helped convince Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to back aid to Ukraine despite opposition from House Republicans. The effort led to another win in a long list of big legislative victories for the Kentuckian. McConnell, … Read more What People Think  Opinions related to campaigns and elections submitted to The Hill: Kristi Noem kills puppy, unites America  How Gen Z is whipping the winds of change through Congress Why the cease-fire protest movement is good for democracy — and potentially for Democrats in November    You're all caught up. See you next time!  Check out The Hill's Campaign page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe 1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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