Brian Higgins

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For Brian Higgins the music producer, see Brian Higgins (producer) or Xenomania

Brian Higgins

United States Representative from New York's 27th district
In office 2005 - present
Preceded by	Jack Quinn
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	October 6, 1959 Buffalo, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mary Jane Hannon
Religion	Roman Catholic

Brian Higgins (born October 6, 1959), a Democrat from New York, was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2004 as the first Democrat since 1983 to represent the 27th District of New York which encompasses the Buffalo and Niagara Area, narrowly defeating Erie County Comptroller Nancy Naples. He succeeded Jack Quinn, a moderate Republican, who retired, representing the state's 27th Congressional district (map). He was born in Buffalo, New York, which he still calls home. He is married to Mary Jane Hannon and has two children.

Prior to being elected to the U.S. Congress, Higgins served three two-year terms as the South District Councilman on the Buffalo Common Council from 1988 to 1994. In 1993, during his final year on the Council, Brian was rated “Buffalo’s Best Lawmaker” in a 1993 Buffalo News Survey of Western New York business and community leaders. After that, Brian served on the 145th Assemblyman in the New York Assembly from 1999 to 2004.

Higgins describes himself as a pro-union moderate who wants to spur job growth. He has said he supports allowing seniors to buy prescription drugs from Canada, and that one of his priorities in Congress will be to push for legislation allowing the government to negotiate for volume discounts on drugs.

He has also said he wants Congress to repeal President George W. Bush's tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals.

His biggest accomplishment since being elected to Congress is securing $279 Million over 50 years for Erie County's various governments and agencies from the New York Power Authority as part of the Niagara Falls Relicensing Agreement.