Brian Higgins

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

Brian Higgins

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 27th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2005–
Preceded by	Jack Quinn
Succeeded by	Incumbent

Born	October 06, 1959 (age 47) Buffalo, New York
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mary Jane Hannon
Religion	Roman Catholic

Brian Higgins (born October 6, 1959), a Democrat from New York, has been a member of the United States House of Representatives in 2004, representing the state's 27th Congressional District. The district is based in Buffalo and includes almost two-thirds of that city. (map).

A native of Buffalo, Higgins served three two-year terms as the South District Councilman on the Buffalo Common Council (city 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.

Jack Quinn, a moderate Republican who had represented the heavily Democratic 27th since 1993, unexpectedly announced his retirement in 2004. Higgins entered the race, and narrowly defeated Erie County Comptroller Nancy Naples. The race was not decided for a few days until after the election; Higgins was undoubtedly helped by John Kerry's landslide win in the district. Even when redistricting after the 2000 census made it slightly friendlier for Quinn, the 27th was still the most Democratic district in the country to be represented by a Republican. The district reverted to form in 2006, as Higgins was reelected with 79% of the vote against token Republican opposition.

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.