Brian Higgins DEMDemocrat

Brian Michael Higgins (born October 6, 1959) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 26th congressional district, serving since 2005. The district, numbered as the 27th district from 2005 to 2013 but as the 26th since 2013, includes Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Following the 2022 redistricting process, the district now stretches up to Lake Ontario, taking in all or parts of seven additional towns in Niagara County. Higgins is a member of the Democratic Party, and of several congressional committees and caucuses. He was born, raised, and graduated from college in Buffalo, later obtaining graduate degrees from Buffalo State College and Harvard University.Self-described as an independent, Higgins is also considered a centrist. He supports the strengthening of Social Security, and has been a proponent for a public option for health insurance. He further supports national and regional economic development. Higgins supports abortion rights. He has also supported efforts for peace in many areas of the world, and has been actively involved in the Northern Ireland peace process.