Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said Friday he won't seek the Western New York congressional seat soon to be vacated by Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins.

"After careful consideration and discussing with my family this unique opportunity to go to Congress, I have made the decision to continue to serve the residents of Buffalo as Mayor," Byron said in a statement. "[I] look forward to continuing to work with the Erie County Democratic Committee and the Party's endorsed candidate to fill the vacancy."

Higgins will leave Congress in February to take on a new role as president and CEO at Shea's Performing Arts Center in downtown Buffalo. His exit sets up a special election that Gov. Kathy Hochul has to schedule within 10 days from being notified of a vacancy, which then has to then take place within 80 days. It will likely take place in April, when the state's presidential primary is also scheduled for.

For the special election, local county party committees will choose their candidates. Any challenger can then mount a primary in the spring. State Sen. Tim Kennedy, a Democrat, announced his candidacy for the position shortly after Higgins' announcement to leave.

Brown joins Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz as another prominent Western New York Democrat who will not seek the House seat. Former congressional candidate Nate McMurry, also a Democrat, wrote on X, formerally known as Twitter, recently that “I think I’ll run for Congress" but he has not made a formal announcement.

Other high-profile Democratic state lawmakers in Buffalo that might be considered are state Sen. Sean Ryan and state Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.

The Erie County Democratic Committee will have its nominating meeting next Thursday.