What's next for GOP in NY-26?

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - After Tuesday's special election for New York's 26th Congressional district ended with a victory for Democrat Tim Kennedy, Republicans are trying to develop a strategy for November's general election.

GOP Strategist Carl Calabrese says it's always difficult to beat a Democrat in NY-26, especially with the spending disparity between Kennedy and Gary Dickson. Calabrese says Kennedy outspent Dickson 47-to-1.

"I would have made this campaign that we need to send [Democrats] a message. We don't need to send someone to Washington who's simply going to be a rubber stamp in Washington as [Kennedy] was for Kathy Hochul, Albany, and I'll be that person. I think that would have been a much more effective campaign," said Calabrese in an interview with WBEN. "It may not have resulted in victory, but it may very well have produced a better ... vote turnout and vote tally for Dickson."

Calabrese does not believe Republicans will have it any easier come November.

"I can't see the Republican Congressional Campaign Committee making this a priority in 2024," Calabrese said.

He adds what also hampering Republicans is this is a Presidential year.

"In a presidential year, Democrats get anywhere from 20-to-25% greater turnout of their base. We used to refer to them as the once every four year voters," Calabrese said.

The Republicans currently have Tony Marecki as the candidate for NY-26 in November.

"I don't know much about him at all," Calabrese noted. "And again, the question is, is he going to be the candidate or is he a placeholder?"

Marecki is an area attorney, and Ken Kruly of Politics and Stuff says it's unclear if Marecki is just a placeholder candidate.

"Whether he's intending to be an actual candidate, I don't know," said Kruly with WBEN. "He hasn't done the required paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to create a committee."

Kruly says if Marecki is going to be a placeholder, he can only be removed by dying, moving out of state or running for another office.

Replacing Marecki would be difficult, says Kruly.

"Whoever they would put on the ticket would still face a similar obstacles or Kennedy," he said.

Kruly further notes Kennedy's fundraising efforts would provide a challenge to whoever wished to challenge him come the November general election.