Timothy Kennedy

Timothy M. Kennedy is a Democratic politician representing New York's 26th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was first elected to Congress in a special election on April 30, 2024, to fill the seat vacated by Brian Higgins and was sworn into office on May 6, 2024. A lifelong resident of Buffalo, New York, Kennedy's political career began in local government before he transitioned to state and federal representation. He currently serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Before his entry into politics, Kennedy earned a bachelor's and master's degree in occupational therapy from D'Youville University. He worked for over a decade as a licensed occupational therapist, primarily serving geriatric and pediatric populations. His professional background in healthcare frequently informs his legislative focus on disability rights and healthcare accessibility. He first entered public office as a member of the Erie County Legislature, where he served from 2005 to 2010. From 2011 to 2024, Kennedy represented the 63rd District in the New York State Senate. During his tenure in the state legislature, he chaired the Committee on Transportation, where he oversaw significant infrastructure investments, including a multibillion-dollar capital plan for the state's Department of Transportation. His work at the state level was characterized by advocacy for public safety reforms, infrastructure modernization, and economic development in Western New York.

Kennedy advocates for middle-class economic growth through infrastructure investment and job creation, specifically focusing on regional transportation projects like the Buffalo waterfront and the removal of the Skyway. He supports expanding access to affordable healthcare and opposes cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. On social issues, he is a proponent of reproductive rights and the federal codification of abortion access, and he supports stricter gun control measures such as universal background checks. His platform also includes strong support for organized labor, environmental protections through renewable energy transition with worker safeguards, and protecting the benefits of military veterans.