Riley wins second term in Congress, defeating Oberacker in 19th District

GREENE COUNTY—Democratic U.S. Rep. Josh Riley won reelection Tuesday, defeating Republican state Sen. Peter Oberacker to secure a second term representing New York’s 19th Congressional District.

Riley, an attorney from Ithaca who also ran on the Working Families Party line, received 158,597 votes to Oberacker’s 113,714, according to unofficial election results. Oberacker also appeared on the Conservative Party line.

The 19th Congressional District spans a large portion of upstate New York, encompassing Greene, Broome, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Sullivan, Tioga and Tompkins counties, along with portions of Otsego and Ulster.

Riley first won the congressional seat in 2024, defeating Republican incumbent Marc Molinaro. Tuesday's victory gives him another two years in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In a statement following his reelection, Riley thanked voters and campaign supporters while emphasizing his commitment to representing constituents regardless of political affiliation.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Upstate New York, for the honor of continuing to represent you in Congress," Riley said.

"To everyone who did not vote for me, please know that I will always do my best to do right by you, too, and to earn your trust," he added. "Upstate New York raised me to know that what matters is not red or blue but is working hard and being kind."

Riley also congratulated Oberacker on his campaign, acknowledging the challenges his opponent faced, including a knee injury, and expressing a willingness to work together on issues affecting the region.

"I’ll welcome the opportunity to work with the Senator on our shared priorities of protecting Upstate farmland, making sure our dairy farmers get fair prices for their work, and expanding school-based healthcare for kids," Riley said.

Oberacker, a research chef and food scientist from Schenevus, was first elected to the New York State Senate in 2020 and took office in 2021, representing the 51st District.

Assemblyman Chris Tague (R/C) of Schoharie won Tuesday's election to succeed Oberacker in the 51st Senate District.

In his concession statement, Oberacker thanked his family, campaign staff, fellow elected officials, party leaders and volunteers for their support.

He said his campaign focused on concerns he heard from residents throughout the sprawling congressional district, particularly rising utility costs, the financial challenges facing farmers and local control over rural communities.

"To the people of the 19th District: this campaign was about you," Oberacker said. "It was about the issues families raised with me every day as I traveled the district: crushing utility bills, the cost of keeping a farm running, and the right of rural communities to decide their own future."

Although unsuccessful in his congressional bid, Oberacker pledged to remain engaged in issues affecting upstate New York.

"Those fights don’t end tonight. I’ll keep fighting for Upstate New York, and I hope Congressman Riley joins me," he said.

"While tonight may not have turned out how we hoped, I still feel like the luckiest man in the world as tomorrow I wake up as husband to my wife, dad to my children, and pop-pop to the five greatest gifts I have ever received,” Oberacker added.

Riley, meanwhile, said he was looking forward to continuing his work in Washington.

"I’m eager and honored to continue this work, to continue to put Upstate New York first, and to show the country all that makes our community so truly special," he said.

Riley's victory came amid a Democratic resurgence nationwide, as the party captured control of both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate in Tuesday's midterm elections.