Election 2026: Dennis Hannon announces candidacy for New York's 26th congressional district

Press release

Dennis Hannon officially announced his candidacy for New York’s 26^th congressional district.

Speaking to a crowd of supporters, Hannon underscored the personal motivation behind his run, citing his own struggle to protect his child from life-altering medical decisions made without transparency.

"I learned something fast: Hope is not a strategy," Hannon said. "You have to stand up; you have to speak up; and you have to be willing to fight. I’m running because too many families across Western New York are doing everything right and still feeling ignored. They work hard, they pay more, they worry more, and they get less from the people who are supposed to represent them."

Hannon outlined a platform built on three core pillars:

•Safer communities: Backing law enforcement, aggressively targeting drug traffickers, and supporting initiatives that strengthen father engagement and childhood involvement.

•Lowering costs: Delivering tangible relief for families on groceries, health care, prescriptions and energy.

“Nobody should be in the business of telling you how you’re going to heat your home or power your car,” Hannon said. “I’m not going to get behind people who are trying to reach carbon net zero on a spreadsheet while you suffer.”

•Protecting kids: Ensuring parents have transparency and that Washington implements age-appropriate policies.

"Washington should stop acting like children are raw materials for billion-dollar industries and start acting like they’re worth defending,” Hannon said.

"This campaign is not about political theater," he concluded. "It’s about common sense and results. If you think working families deserve a voice louder than the lobbyists and consultants, then join us.”

Hannon has received endorsements from both Erie County and Niagara County Republican and Conservative parties.