Republican · New York's 19th District · 2026
Peter Oberacker
Oberacker started working in his family's meat market at eight and later became a research chef and food scientist.
Biography
Peter Oberacker started working in his family's Schenevus meat market at eight, the son of a German sausage maker.1 He married his high school sweetheart, Shannon; they have two children and four grandchildren.2 His state Senate biography also describes decades of service with the local volunteer fire company.2 His free time includes tending to horses and doing chores around the barn.2
At SUNY Delhi, Oberacker played basketball and baseball, pitching for the Broncos before graduating in 1983 with an associate degree in food sales and distribution.3 He later founded Formtech Solutions, a food ingredient research and development business, and the college inducted him into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.3
His government experience includes the town board and supervisor's office in Maryland, New York, followed by the Otsego County legislature and state Senate service beginning in 2021.2 He sponsored the 2021 law making baseball New York's official state sport, an idea advanced by Cooperstown schoolchildren.45
Oberacker challenges Democratic incumbent Josh Riley, emphasizing rural affordability and services.6 His proposals include temporary relief from gasoline and utility taxes, clearer utility bills with access to live customer service, investment in water and sewer systems, and expanded school health centers offering medical, dental and mental health care.6
Record and controversies
Veterans Day post and response
August 2026 reporting documented Oberacker's 2015 Veterans Day post saluting his grandfather, pictured in Nazi Germany's military uniform.7 Oberacker said his grandfather was conscripted and killed at the Battle of the Bulge, and he intended to honor family and veterans; his campaign said the post did not endorse Nazi ideology.7 He had also rescinded a campaign manager offer in October 2025 after reporting about racist and antisemitic group messages.7 An October 16 New York NOW segment reported withdrawn NRCC support; Oberacker attributed the break primarily to the national party wanting control over his campaign team.8
Campaign footage complaint
December 2025 reporting described a Democratic county leader's claim that she filed an ethics complaint over Senate footage in Oberacker's campaign announcement.9 His campaign denied wrongdoing and said the footage was cleared for use.9 The paper noted that the cited statutory provision concerned Open Meetings; the account does not establish an agency ruling.9