State Sen. Peter Oberacker, R-N.Y., spoke with Fox News Digital about his run for Congress and incumbent Rep. Josh Riley’s ties to the utility industry.
Peter Oberacker. a Trump-backed Republican New York state senator, won a GOP primary on Tuesday evening, securing the GOP nomination tochallenge incumbent Rep. Josh Riley, D-N.Y.
New York’s 19th Congressional District. which encompasses an area north of Manhattan, is one of manycompetitive seats Republicans hope to flipas they look to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, where they hold a narrow majority.
Despite a historically Democratic bent, Republicans last won the district in 2022.
Oberacker, who has a background in food business, has served as a New York state senator since 2021. In his campaign, he has pitched himself as a pragmatic public servant with a diverse resume.
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Peter Oberacker stands in front of a tractor.(Peter Oberacker for Congress)
"They say there are two things you should never see being made: laws and sausage. Well, I know both. Service has always called me. As a volunteer firefighter and EMT and as a town supervisor and county legislator," Oberacker saidin a campaign video.
Oberacker received PresidentDonald Trump’s endorsement earlier this year.
"As your next Congressman, he will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, CutTaxesand Regulations, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity. Protect our always-under-siege Second Amendment," Trump wrote.
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Most of Oberacker’s work in the stateSenatehas focused on rural agriculture, farms and ratepayer energy costs. In the past, Oberacker has introduced bills that looked to ban retroactive bills for businesses. a ban on using taxpayer funds to cover corporate losses. He has also spearheaded calls to investigate climbing utility prices.
"Results matter. That’s why I have introduced several bills as a part of my utility ratepayer bill of rights. Thislegislationrequires transparency. accountability from the utilities and gives power back to people — where it belongs," Oberacker wrote in a recentpost to Facebook.
He has raised just shy of a million dollars, according toFederal Election Commission records.
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Rep. Josh Riley, D-N.Y., walks toward the U.S. Capitol building.(Getty Images)
Having cleared the primary, Oberacker now heads to thegeneral election,where he will face off against Riley on Nov. 3.
Riley, a first-term representative, won his seat in a narrow 51.1% to 48.8% victory overRep. Marcus Molinaro, R-N.Y., in2024.
Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.
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