Congressman Brian Higgins easily won his re-election bid Tuesday over challenger Mike Madigan.
Higgins's newly-reapportioned district now covers all of Buffalo and its inner-ring suburbs. The veteran lawmaker, who earned 74% of the vote, admits he had to introduce himself to thousands of new voters.
"We spent a lot of time in the last several months in those areas, and obviously, people responded very well to our message and our work. I think the work that we do transcends geographic boundaries," Higgins told WBFO News.
In the 23rd Congressional District, Republican incumbent Tom Reed of Corning also declared victory last night. He fended off a tough challenge form newcomer Democrat Nate Shinagawa of Tompkins County.
Reed defeated his opponent 51% to 49%. The District covers Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and other counties in the Southern Tier.
20,000 absentee ballots that be counted in coming days
Rep. Louise Slaughter won her bid for a 14th term in the House of Representatives. The 83-year-old Democrat defeated Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks 57-43 in the newly redrawn 25th Congressional District, which now encompasses much of Monroe County.