Gary Dickson has 'no regrets' after conceding NY-26 special election to Tim Kennedy

West Seneca, N.Y. (WBEN) - West Seneca Town Supervisor Gary Dickson fell short Tuesday night in accumulating the votes required to beat Democratic challenger Tim Kennedy in the special election for New York's 26th Congressional district seat.

He lost by about a 36-point margin.

"It was only February when we started the journey, and I said at the time that I wanted the voters of Erie and Niagara counties to have a choice," said Dickson on Tuesday during his brief concession speech at Kloc's Grove in West Seneca. "I wanted issues that I thought did not get a lot of notice to be discussed. Issues such as crime, the border, economy, and particularly education. Every interview that I gave, I talked about the dire state of education in this district, especially in our disadvantaged communities."

Dickson went on to say he has no regrets in running, and he had made some great memories on the short, but certainly impactful campaign journey.

He shared one final message of optimism with his Republican supporters on Tuesday:

"Even though this time it may not have come to fruition, that doesn't mean that next time it won't. I encourage everybody please keep up the fight. Don't lose hope. Change will come eventually."

"Gary's fight is not over," noted Erie County GOP Chairman Michael Kracker. "I couldn't be any more proud as chairman of the Erie County Republican Committee that we gave voters a credible alternative to the madness that we see out of the Democratic party. And while Gary won't be serving immediately in Congress, I believe his best days are ahead of him. And the things that he's going to do for all of us, as a leader in this community, are going to be remarkable."

So what's next?

Dickson will continue to serve his term as West Seneca Town Supervisor. He says he will have to have a discussion with his family, friends and Kracker about whether or not he will continue in a pursuit for Congress or something else.

As for Kennedy, he will have to face a November general election if he wants to continue his journey in Congress beyond this year. At this point, Kracker notes that Anthony Marecki, a local attorney, is on the ballot for the Republicans in November, but that may change.

"We're just very proud of the job that Gary did, representing the Republican party, and we'll look to November in the next couple of days."