Kennedy, Dickson ready for final push in NY-26 special election

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The early voting period for the 26th Congressional district in New York State has ended, as West Seneca Town Supervisor Gary Dickson (R) and State Sen. Tim Kennedy (D) ready for the final moments before Tuesday's special election to represent the Buffalo-Niagara region in Washington, D.C.

For Dickson, he feels the days and weeks leading up to Tuesday's special election have gone relatively well, given that he's facing quite the challenge in a primarily Democratic district.

"We're cautiously optimistic that we're going to win," said Dickson in an interview with WBEN. "I think there's a lot of grassroots momentum, and I think the message I have resonates with people of all parties."

Dickson says he's done all he can to get the message out to voters in the days and weeks leading up to the April 30 special election.

"We have radio ads, including on your channel, text messages are going out. We had done a mailer, and we're doing as much free media as possible - press releases, things like that. And a lot of social media, very strong on social media," he said.

Why does Dickson believe he should be the next Congressman to represent NY-26 in Washington, D.C.?

"Because I will be a different kind of Congressman. I'll be one that represents everybody," Dickson said. "I don't attack half the country with my rhetoric, like my opponent does, and I have the experience of local government, which puts me in tune more than most people about how important it is to control spending. And how illegal migration impacts our local communities, as well as the impact of crime. Education, our system is failing the children in some of our disadvantaged neighborhoods, and I really want to have the opportunity to work on that. It's critically important."

Dickson knows with a special election for the NY-26 seat, it's important for the voters' voice to be heard in order to make effective change in the nation's capital.

"I encourage all my voters to vote early, get that vote locked in," Dickson said. "On Election Day, please get out and vote. Together, we can bring change to this district."

Meanwhile, Kennedy has been blown away by how his supporters have been galvanizing behind his vision for the future of the district.

"My fight is our community's fight," said Kennedy in an interview with WBEN. "We need to continue the momentum that's been created under Congressman Brian Higgins over the last 19 years. I've done a lot of work in the New York State Legislature to deliver resources to our community, and now I've been preparing for this moment and I've never felt so prepared for anything in my entire life. So ready to get down to Washington, D.C. and continue to deliver for the Buffalo-Niagara region."

Kennedy says his office has put the work in to get his message out to the constituents of the district, and others have rallied behind his campaign by volunteering by the hundreds.

"They've been making phone calls and knocking on doors, and doing everything they can do. Postcards, people have been coming to Buffalo and offering to help from all over the state, and have even pitched in from around the nation, because they recognize what's at stake here," Kennedy noted. "Democracy is on the ballot on April 30, as well as this November. There's so much at stake for our community, as well as on a global scale."

So why does Kennedy feel he's the right candidate to represent the people of NY-26 in Washington? He says he's prepared to take on the dysfunction that's ongoing in the halls of Congress.

"I know how to deliver for our community, I've been doing it my entire adult life as a public servant. I'm an occupational therapist by profession, I went to school here, I was born and raised here, my wife and I are raising our three children here. I know what we're fighting for. We're fighting for a better future for all of us, for all of Western New York, for the next generation and generations that we won't meet," Kennedy said. "We need to make sure that we're building the Buffalo-Niagara region into the international center that it ought to be, and really the pride of our community, the pride of New York State and the Northeast."

Kennedy says he'd be honored to have the vote of the people of the Buffalo-Niagara region in the 26th Congressional district.

"People have seen me work and deliver for our community in every facet of society. Whether it's delivering record levels of funding for transportation, education and healthcare, or whether it's fighting for human rights and safe streets and delivering for the people in each and every corner of the district that I represent, I'm going to be the same type of Congressman. Somebody that fights for each and every area of this district from the tip of Lackawanna all the way up to the Northern part of Niagara County, and everywhere in-between. And somebody that's going to fight and stand up for the Western New York values that define us as a community, as the 'City and Region of Good Neighbors,'" he said. "I'm excited for the opportunity to go deliver for the people of Western New York."