NYS Senator Oberacker Makes Stop in Marathon as Part of Campaign For Congress in New York’s 19th District

New York State Senator Peter Oberacker (SD-51) made a stop in the Village of Marathon Wednesday afternoon as part of his tour of New York State’s 19th Congressional District. The tour comes after Oberacker officially announced his candidacy for the 19th District. He will run on the Republican ticket and looks to face incumbent Josh Riley next year in the General Election.

Prior to Oberacker speaking, his candidacy video titled “soil” played for the audience. The video is a personal journey of his life from working in his family’s meat market to building a successful business, which he would bring back to New York State. The video highlights that those in the 19th Congressional District are all “rooted in the same soil.”

Introducing the Senator was New York State Assemblyman, Chris Tague (R) of the 102nd Assembly District of New York. Tague spoke how his district covers a large portion of the 19th Congressional District and criticized how he has barely seen Riley since he has taken office, only seen him once.

“We need a representative in the 19th Congressional District that’s going to defend our freedoms. Stand up to our values. Someone that is going to protect the constitution. Someone that is going to stand with the America First Agenda. Someone who is going to protect our communities. Cares about safety and security. Cares about lowering taxes and providing jobs and making America great again. That person is Peter Oberacker.” Tague said.

Tague continued on to say he is proud to work with Oberacker in the State Legislature and is proud to call him his State Senator. He continued to add Oberacker is someone who cares and will go to Washington and fight for those in the 19th District each and every day.

Oberacker said he was glad to be back in Marathon; he previously was the State Senator for Cortland County before state redistricting. Oberacker highlighted his upbringing and the importance of hard work and dedication he saw from his parents and implemented in his life. Oberacker said he began his political career following a town board meeting where he was told if he doesn’t like something he should run for office, which he did and won.

“From a Town Supervisor to County Legislator, to the New York State Senate. Every step of the way, it has been about serving the people. Not the political insiders, not the special interests, and most certainly not the career bureaucrats.” Oberacker said.

Oberacker says he works for those in his district, adding he has jumped across the aisle multiple times for bipartisan legislation. He then slammed Riley on taxing workers, farmers, and tax cuts and voting against border protection

X101 News had an opportunity to speak with Senator Oberacker following Wednesday’s event. Oberacker said when asked about what were the issues he has seen so far. Oberacker says something he has heard frequently is how those in the 19th District have not seen much of Josh Riley. Adding that the district needs someone who is seen and engaging with their constituents. He also added there needs to be maturity within the role of politics. Oberacker says politicians shouldn’t just be voting party lines.

X101 News also asked Oberacker about working across the aisle with Democrats and also speaking with constituents who may not agree with policy.

New York’s 19th Congressional District covers all of Tompkins County, Broome, Chenango, Otsego, Delaware, Green, Sullivan, and Columbia Counties. It also includes a portion of Ulster, Rensselaer, and Cortland Counties. Including in Cortland County the towns/villages of Solon, Taylor, Virgil, Marathon, Harford, and Willet.