BUFFALO, N.Y. — On Friday, City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown officially announced that he will not be running for the 26th Congressional seat that will soon be vacated by U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins.
Higgins announced he was leaving this past November. Mayor Brown had said that he could be the voice in the center to bring the right and left together if he had decided to run.
Brown issued a statement saying he is not planning to run for the seat.
"After careful consideration and discussing with my family this unique opportunity to go to congress I have made the decision to continue to serve the residents of Buffalo as Mayor." Brown said.
"Today I met with Chairman Zellner and informed him that I will not be seeking the Democratic nomination for the 26th Congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Brian Higgins, and look forward to continuing to work with the Erie County Democratic Committee and the Party's Endorsed candidate to fill the vacancy."
Higgins departure came as a surprise to many.
“It's just a time for change, and I think this is the time," said Higgins, who plans to officially leave his office during the first week of February.
Higgins will be taking a new post as President and CEO of Shea's Performing Arts Center beginning Feb. 5.
State Senator Tim Kennedy and Erie County Legislator April Baskin announced that they will run for Higgins' seat.
Kennedy had posted his announcement on social media saying, "I'm running for Congress because I want my children, and all of our children, to have the opportunity to stay here and build a future for themselves and their families."
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced last month that he would not seek the Democratic nomination for New York's 26th Congressional District.