# New York's 27th congressional district

New York’s 27th congressional district was a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in western New York. It included all of Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, and Livingston counties and parts of Erie, Monroe, Niagara, and Ontario counties. The district contained most of the eastern and southern suburbs of Buffalo, most of the southern suburbs of Rochester, as well as large rural areas to the east and south. The seat was last occupied by Republican Chris Jacobs, who won a special election on June 23, 2020. Previously, it had been vacant from October 1, 2019, when Republican incumbent Chris Collins resigned after pleading guilty to charges of insider trading.
It was the most Republican-leaning district in the state, with Donald Trump having won it by 24.5 points in 2016. It was also one of the most conservative districts in the Northeastern United States, leaning more Republican than any district in New England or New Jersey.

## History

The precursor to the district was the central Erie county seat numbered the 30th district in the 1990s. In the 1980s this area was in the 33rd district. In the 1970s it was numbered the 37th district, although certain suburban areas were in the 38th district (later the 31st). None of these districts included the Jamestown area, which had always been in the southern tier district (now the 29th district) in prior maps. The 27th district covered the area now in the 26th district in the 1990s and the Syracuse area (now the 25th district) in the 1980s. It was the Southern Tier seat now numbered the 22nd in the 1970s. In the 1960s this district was in the lower Hudson Valley covering the area now in the 19th district.
The district became obsolete following the 2020 United States census. Following the reapportionment process after the 2020 census, New York came just 89 people short of retaining its 27th congressional district. The 435th seat instead went to Minnesota. The district was eliminated after the 2022 midterm elections. Most of its territory close to Buffalo was merged with the 23rd district, while the portion close to Rochester joined the 24th district.

## Election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | McCain 54% - 44% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 55% - 43% |
| 2012 | Senate | Gillibrand 56% - 43% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 59% - 35% |
| 2016 | Senate | Schumer 55% - 43% |
| 2018 | Senate | Farley 53% - 47% |
| 2018 | Governor | Molinaro 60% - 34% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Wofford 61% - 36% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 57% - 41% |

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | District location (counties) |
| District established March 4, 1823 ||||||
| Moses Hayden (York) | Democratic-Republican | March 4, 1823 – March 3, 1825 | 18th 19th | Elected in 1822. Re-elected in 1824. [data missing] | 1823–1833 [data missing] |
| Moses Hayden (York) | Anti-Jacksonian | March 4, 1825 – March 3, 1827 | 18th 19th | Elected in 1822. Re-elected in 1824. [data missing] | 1823–1833 [data missing] |
| Daniel D. Barnard (Rochester) | Anti-Jacksonian | March 4, 1827 – March 3, 1829 | 20th | Elected in 1826. Lost re-election. | 1823–1833 [data missing] |
| Timothy Childs (Rochester) | Anti-Masonic | March 4, 1829 – March 3, 1831 | 21st | Elected in 1828. [data missing] | 1823–1833 [data missing] |
| Frederick Whittlesey (Rochester) | Anti-Masonic | March 4, 1831 – March 3, 1833 | 22nd | Elected in 1830. Redistricted to the 28th district. | 1823–1833 [data missing] |
| Edward Howell (Bath) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1833 – March 3, 1835 | 23rd | Elected in 1832 [data missing] | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| Joshua Lee (Penn Yan) | Jacksonian | March 4, 1835 – March 3, 1837 | 24th | Elected in 1834. [data missing] | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| John T. Andrews (North Reading) | Democratic | March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1839 | 25th | Elected in 1836. [data missing] | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| Meredith Mallory (Hammondsport) | Democratic | March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841 | 26th | Elected in 1838. [data missing] | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| William M. Oliver (Penn Yan) | Democratic | March 4, 1841 – March 3, 1843 | 27th | Elected in 1840. [data missing] | 1833–1843 [data missing] |
| Byram Green (Sodus) | Democratic | March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845 | 28th | Elected in 1842. [data missing] | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| John De Mott (Lodi) | Democratic | March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1847 | 29th | Elected in 1844. [data missing] | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| John M. Holley (Lyons) | Whig | March 4, 1847 – March 8, 1848 | 30th | Elected in 1846. Died. | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | March 8, 1848 – November 7, 1848 | 30th | | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| Esbon Blackmar (Newark) | Whig | November 7, 1848 – March 3, 1849 | 30th | Elected to finish Holley's term. [data missing] | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| William A. Sackett (Seneca Falls) | Whig | March 4, 1849 – March 3, 1853 | 31st 32nd | Elected in 1848. Re-elected in 1850. [data missing] | 1843–1853 [data missing] |
| John J. Taylor (Owego) | Democratic | March 4, 1853 – March 3, 1855 | 33rd | Elected in 1852. [data missing] | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| John Mason Parker (Owego) | Opposition | March 4, 1855 – March 3, 1857 | 34th 35th | Elected in 1854. Re-elected in 1856. [data missing] | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| John Mason Parker (Owego) | Republican | March 4, 1857 – March 3, 1859 | 34th 35th | Elected in 1854. Re-elected in 1856. [data missing] | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Alfred Wells (Ithaca) | Republican | March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1861 | 36th | Elected in 1858. [data missing] | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Alexander S. Diven (Elmira) | Republican | March 4, 1861 – March 3, 1863 | 37th | Elected in 1860. [data missing] | 1853–1863 [data missing] |
| Robert B. Van Valkenburgh (Bath) | Republican | March 4, 1863 – March 3, 1865 | 38th | Redistricted from the 28th district and re-elected in 1862. [data missing] | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Hamilton Ward (Belmont) | Republican | March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1871 | 39th 40th 41st | Elected in 1864. Re-elected in 1866. Re-elected in 1868. [data missing] | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Horace B. Smith (Elmira) | Republican | March 4, 1871 – March 3, 1873 | 42nd | Elected in 1870. Redistricted to the 28th district. | 1863–1873 [data missing] |
| Thomas C. Platt (Owego) | Republican | March 4, 1873 – March 3, 1875 | 43rd | Elected in 1872. Redistricted to the 28th district. | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| Elbridge G. Lapham (Canandaigua) | Republican | March 4, 1875 – July 29, 1881 | 44th 45th 46th 47th | Elected in 1874. Re-elected in 1876. Re-elected in 1878. Re-elected in 1880. Resigned when elected U.S. Senator. | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | July 30, 1881 – November 7, 1881 | 47th | | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| James W. Wadsworth (Geneseo) | Republican | November 8, 1881 – March 3, 1885 | 47th 48th | Elected to finish Lapham's term. Re-elected in 1882. [data missing] | 1873–1883 [data missing] |
| James W. Wadsworth (Geneseo) | Republican | November 8, 1881 – March 3, 1885 | 47th 48th | Elected to finish Lapham's term. Re-elected in 1882. [data missing] | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| Sereno E. Payne (Auburn) | Republican | March 4, 1885 – March 3, 1887 | 49th | Redistricted from the 26th district and re-elected in 1884. [data missing] | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| Newton W. Nutting (Oswego) | Republican | March 4, 1887 – October 15, 1889 | 50th 51st | Elected in 1886. Re-elected in 1888 Died. | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| Vacant | Vacant | October 16, 1889 – December 2, 1889 | 51st | | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| Sereno E. Payne (Auburn) | Republican | December 2, 1889 – March 3, 1893 | 51st 52nd | Elected to finish Nutting's term. Re-elected in 1890. Redistricted to the 28th district. | 1883–1893 [data missing] |
| James J. Belden (Syracuse) | Republican | March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1895 | 53rd | Redistricted from the 25th district and re-elected in 1892. [data missing] | 1893–1903 [data missing] |
| Theodore L. Poole (Syracuse) | Republican | March 4, 1895 – March 3, 1897 | 54th | Elected in 1894. [data missing] | 1893–1903 [data missing] |
| James J. Belden (Syracuse) | Republican | March 4, 1897 – March 3, 1899 | 55th | Elected in 1896. [data missing] | 1893–1903 [data missing] |
| Michael E. Driscoll (Syracuse) | Republican | March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1903 | 56th 57th | Elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Redistricted to the 29th district. | 1893–1903 [data missing] |
| James S. Sherman (Utica) | Republican | March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1909 | 58th 59th 60th | Redistricted from the 25th district and re-elected in 1902. Re-elected in 1904. Re-elected in 1906. [data missing] | 1903–1913 [data missing] |
| Charles S. Millington (Herkimer) | Republican | March 4, 1909 – March 3, 1911 | 61st | Elected in 1908. [data missing] | 1903–1913 [data missing] |
| Charles A. Talcott (Utica) | Democratic | March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1913 | 62nd | Elected in 1910. Redistricted to the 33rd district. | 1903–1913 [data missing] |
| George McClellan (Chatham) | Democratic | March 4, 1913 – March 3, 1915 | 63rd | Elected in 1912. Lost re-election. | 1913–1945 All of Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster |
| Charles B. Ward (Debruce) | Republican | March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1925 | 64th 65th 66th 67th 68th | Elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Retired. | 1913–1945 All of Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster |
| Harcourt J. Pratt (Highland) | Republican | March 4, 1925 – March 3, 1933 | 69th 70th 71st 72nd | Elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Re-elected in 1928. Re-elected in 1930. Retired. | 1913–1945 All of Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster |
| Philip A. Goodwin (Coxsackie) | Republican | March 4, 1933 – June 6, 1937 | 73rd 74th 75th | Elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Died. | 1913–1945 All of Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster |
| Vacant | Vacant | June 7, 1937 – November 1, 1937 | 75th | | 1913–1945 All of Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster |
| Lewis K. Rockefeller (Chatham) | Republican | November 2, 1937 – January 3, 1943 | 75th 76th 77th | Elected to finish Goodwin's term. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Retired. | 1913–1945 All of Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster |
| Jay LeFevre (New Paltz) | Republican | January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1945 | 78th | Elected in 1942. Redistricted to the 30th district. | 1913–1945 All of Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan, Ulster |
| Ralph W. Gwinn (Bronxville) | Republican | January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1959 | 79th 80th 81st 82nd 83rd 84th 85th | Elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Re-elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Re-elected in 1956. Retired. | 1945–1963 All of Putnam, parts of Westchester |
| Robert R. Barry (Yonkers) | Republican | January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1963 | 86th 87th | Elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Redistricted to the 25th district. | 1945–1963 All of Putnam, parts of Westchester |
| Katharine St. George (Tuxedo Park) | Republican | January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965 | 88th | Redistricted from the 28th district and re-elected in 1962. Lost re-election. | 1963–1971 All of Delaware, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan |
| John G. Dow (Grand View) | Democratic | January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1969 | 89th 90th | Elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Lost re-election. | 1963–1971 All of Delaware, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan |
| Martin B. McKneally (Newburgh) | Republican | January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1971 | 91st | Elected in 1968. Lost re-election. | 1963–1971 All of Delaware, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan |
| John G. Dow (Grand View) | Democratic | January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1973 | 92nd | Elected in 1970. Redistricted to the 26th district and lost re-election. | 1971–1973 All of Orange, Putnam, parts of Dutchess, Rockland, Sullivan |
| Howard W. Robison (Candor) | Republican | January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1975 | 93rd | Redistricted from the 33rd district and re-elected in 1972. Retired. | 1973–1983 All of Broome, Sullivan, Tioga, parts of Chemung, Delaware, Tompkins, Ulster |
| Matthew F. McHugh (Ithaca) | Democratic | January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1983 | 94th 95th 96th 97th | Elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Re-elected in 1980. Redistricted to the 28th district. | 1973–1983 All of Broome, Sullivan, Tioga, parts of Chemung, Delaware, Tompkins, Ulster |
| George C. Wortley (Fayetteville) | Republican | January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1989 | 98th 99th 100th | Redistricted from the 32nd district and re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Retired. | 1983–1993 All of Onondaga, parts of Madison |
| James T. Walsh (Syracuse) | Republican | January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1993 | 101st 102nd | Elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Redistricted to the 25th district. | 1983–1993 All of Onondaga, parts of Madison |
| Bill Paxon (Williamsville) | Republican | January 3, 1993 – January 3, 1999 | 103rd 104th 105th | Redistricted from the 31st district and re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Retired. | 1993–2003 All of Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, parts of Cayuga, Erie, Monroe, Seneca |
| Thomas M. Reynolds (Springville) | Republican | January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2003 | 106th 107th | Elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Redistricted to the 26th district. | 1993–2003 All of Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Wayne, Wyoming, parts of Cayuga, Erie, Monroe, Seneca |
| Jack Quinn (Hamburg) | Republican | January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2005 | 108th | Redistricted from the 30th district and re-elected in 2002. Retired. | 2003–2013 All of Chautauqua, part of Erie |
| Brian Higgins (Buffalo) | Democratic | January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2013 | 109th 110th 111th 112th | Elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Redistricted to the 26th district. | 2003–2013 All of Chautauqua, part of Erie |
| Chris Collins (Clarence) | Republican | January 3, 2013 – October 1, 2019 | 113th 114th 115th 116th | Elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Resigned. | 2013–2023 All of Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, parts of Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario |
| Vacant | Vacant | October 1, 2019 – July 21, 2020 | 116th | | 2013–2023 All of Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, parts of Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario |
| Chris Jacobs (Orchard Park) | Republican | July 21, 2020 – January 3, 2023 | 116th 117th | Elected to finish Collins's term. Re-elected in 2020. Redistricted to the 23rd district and then retired. | 2013–2023 All of Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston, parts of Erie, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario |
| District dissolved January 3, 2023 ||||||

## Election results

In New York State electoral politics there are numerous minor parties at various points on the political spectrum. Certain parties would invariably endorse either the Republican or Democratic candidate for every office, hence the state electoral results contain both the party votes, and the final candidate votes (listed as "Recap").
1996 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bill Paxon (incumbent) | 142,568 | 59.9% |
| | Democratic | Thomas M. Fricano | 95,503 | 40.1% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 47,065 | 19.8% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 238,071 | 100% |
1998 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Thomas M. Reynolds | 102,042 | 57.3% | −2.6% |
| | Democratic | Bill Cook | 75,978 | 42.7% | +2.6% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 26,064 | 14.6% | −5.2% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 178,020 | 100% | −25.2% |
2000 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Thomas M. Reynolds (incumbent) | 157,694 | 69.3% | +12.0% |
| | Democratic | Thomas W. Pecoraro | 69,870 | 30.7% | −12.0% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 87,824 | 38.6% | +24.0% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 227,564 | 100% | +27.8% |
2002 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Jack Quinn | 120,117 | 69.1% | −0.2% |
| | Democratic | Peter Crotty | 47,811 | 27.5% | −3.2% |
| | Right to Life | Thomas Casey | 3,586 | 2.1% | +2.1% |
| | Green | Albert N. LaBruna | 2,405 | 1.4% | +1.4% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 72,306 | 41.6% | +3.0% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 173,919 | 100% | −23.6% |
2004 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Brian Higgins | 143,332 | 50.7% | +23.2% |
| | Republican | Nancy A. Naples | 139,558 | 49.3% | −19.8% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,774 | 1.3% | −40.3% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 282,890 | 100% | +62.7% |
2006 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Brian Higgins (incumbent) | 140,027 | 79.3% | +28.6% |
| | Republican | Michael J. McHale | 36,614 | 20.7% | −28.6% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 103,413 | 58.5% | +57.2% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 176,641 | 100% | −37.6% |
2008 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Brian Higgins (incumbent) | 185,713 | 74.4% | −4.9% |
| | Republican | Daniel J. Humiston | 56,354 | 22.6% | +1.9% |
| | Conservative | Harold W. Schroeder | 7,478 | 3% | +3% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 129,359 | 51.8% | −6.7% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 249,545 | 100% | +41.3% |
2010 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Democratic | Brian Higgins (incumbent) | 119,085 | 60.9% | −13.5% |
| | Republican | Leonard A. Roberto | 76,320 | 39.1% | +16.5% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 42,765 | 21.9% | 29.9% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 195,405 | 100% | −21.7% |
2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Chris Collins | 161,220 | 50.8% | +11.7% |
| | Democratic | Kathy Hochul | 156,219 | 49.2% | −11.7% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,001 | 1.6% | −20.3% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 317,439 | 100% | +62.4% |
2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Chris Collins (incumbent) | 144,675 | 71.1% | +20.3% |
| | Democratic | Jim O'Donnell | 58,911 | 28.9% | −20.3% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 85,764 | 42.2% | +40.6% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 203,586 | 100% | −35.9% |
2016 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Chris Collins (incumbent) | 220,885 | 67.2% | −3.9% |
| | Democratic | Diana Kastenbaum | 107,832 | 32.8% | +3.9% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 113,053 | 34.4% | −7.8% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 328,717 | 100% | +61.4% |
2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Chris Collins (incumbent) | 140,146 | 49.1% | −18.1% |
| | Democratic | Nate McMurray | 139,059 | 48.8% | +16% |
| | Reform | Larry Piegza | 5,973 | 2.1% | +2.1% |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,087 | 0.3% | −34.1% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 285,178 | 100% | −13.2% |
2020 New York's 27th congressional district special election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Chris Jacobs | 81,036 | 51.8% | +2.7% |
| | Democratic | Nathan McMurray | 72,787 | 46.5% | −2.3% |
| | Libertarian | Duane Whitmer | 1,498 | 1.0% | +1.0% |
| | Green | Michael Gammariello | 1,043 | 0.7% | +0.7% |
| Plurality | Plurality | Plurality | 8,249 | 5.05% | +4.75% |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 156,364 | | |
2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New York: District 27 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Chris Jacobs | 192,756 | 50.2 |
| | Conservative | Chris Jacobs | 31,027 | 8.1 |
| | Independence | Chris Jacobs | 5,261 | 1.4 |
| | Total | Chris Jacobs (incumbent) | 229,044 | 59.7 |
| | Democratic | Nate McMurray | 136,783 | 35.7 |
| | Working Families | Nate McMurray | 12,776 | 3.3 |
| | Total | Nate McMurray | 149,559 | 39.0 |
| | Libertarian | Duane Whitmer | 4,884 | 1.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 383,487 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |