The “rumor” in recent weeks that Rep. Brian Higgins plans to leave Congress to head one of Buffalo’s largest cultural attractions?
It’s not a rumor.
Higgins, a congressman since 2005, has been offered and plans to accept the position of president of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, sources have told The Buffalo News.
Higgins has told friends and people who work for him that he plans to take the job, with an announcement expected soon.
Both Higgins and Shea’s declined to address the issue publicly.
“Congressman Higgins has delivered exceptional results for Buffalo and Western New York during his time in Washington,” Mayor Byron Brown said in a statement. “He has helped shape the renaissance in our area, including his greater leadership on waterfront development.
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“It’s been an honor to stand with him and work with him on so many key projects for the benefit of the residents of the City of Buffalo and our region,” the mayor said. “I wish Congressman Higgins nothing but the best in his future endeavors.”
The departure of Higgins, who turned 64 last month, will open a congressional seat that State Sen. Tim Kennedy – who is close with Higgins and, like the congressman, hails from South Buffalo – is expected to seek.
Higgins’ 26th Congressional District includes Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lackawanna, Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.
Gov. Kathy Hochul would be required by the state constitution to call a special election within 10 days of Higgins’ resignation, with the election to occur 70 to 80 days later.
A primary will be held in June, with the general election in November.
At Shea’s, Higgins will succeed Michael Murphy, who was fired in October 2022 after being at the theater’s helm for six years. Robert Brunschmid, director of operations, has assumed many of Murphy’s responsibilities since Murphy’s departure.
Shea’s Performing Arts Center consists of three theaters. The 1926 Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, built by acclaimed movie palace designers Rapp & Rapp and on the National Register of Historic Places, has 3,019 seats. Shea’s 710 Theatre has 626 seats, and Shea’s Smith Theatre is a 200-seat black box theater.
Shea’s has 16,500 subscribers for the 2023-2024 season, once again placing the theater among the country’s top one-week subscriber series for traveling Broadway shows.
Mark Sommer covers culture, preservation, the waterfront, transportation, nonprofits and more. He’s a former arts editor at The News.
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