2026 candidates for NY Congressional District 19

2026 candidates for NY Congressional District 19 Categories: News 2026 candidates for NY Congressional District 19 By Eamon Corbo, News Editor October 14, 2026 Sofia Fitzgerald Democrat Josh Riley Republican Peter Oberacker are the candidates for NY Congressional District 19 Josh Riley, Democrat Democrat Josh Riley, representative of New York’s 19th Congressional District, is running for reelection. Riley was first elected in 2024, after beating at the time incumbent Republican Marc Molinaro by under 8,000 votes. Riley is a fifth-generation Upstate New Yorker, growing up in Endicott, New York, and now living in Ithaca. Before serving NY-19, Riley worked as an attorney in Washington, D.C., and as a policy analyst for the Department of Labor. “Neighborhoods like the one I grew up in have been sold out by corrupt politicians and greedy corporations,” Riley said on his campaign website. “I’m fighting back.” Some of Riley’s key campaign promises include empowering labor, defending abortion rights, expanding access to healthcare and enhancing public education. Riley’s campaign is also focused on fighting corruption and banning corporate PACs and dark money in politics. Riley has raised $717,509 from PACs and $4,902,897 from individual donors in the 2026 election cycle. Riley has received $273,851 from the Democratic Leadership PAC. Riley has also received $336,001 from the Pro-Israel lobby and $46,003 from Palantir Technologies, a surveillance data firm where Riley previously worked as an attorney. Riley did not respond to The Ithacan’s request for an interview in time for publication. Peter Oberacker, Republican Republican Peter Oberacker is running to be the representative of New York’s 19th Congressional District. Oberacker grew up working in his German family’s meat market in Schenevus, New York. He later worked as a food scientist and was part of the team that created Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Oberacker is currently the state senator for New York’s 51st District. Oberacker’s campaign website describes him as “a proven businessman, a results-driven leader, and a dedicated public servant. He believes in common sense, accountability, and putting people over politics, and he brings that mindset to every decision he makes.” Oberacker’s campaign website does not include any goals or political positions, but Oberacker often criticizes Riley and other Democrats like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Gov. Kathy Hochul on his campaign Facebook account. Despite New York’s 19th Congressional District being a swing seat, House Republicans have largely abandoned Oberacker’s campaign, pulling around $5 million in funding from him. This was both because his campaign was going through funds quickly and because of a 2015 Facebook post, where Oberacker praised his grandfather’s military service in Nazi Germany. Oberacker did not respond to The Ithacan’s request for an interview in time for publication. View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Leave a Comment Donate to The Ithacan $1,925 $3,000 Contributed Our Goal Your donation will support The Ithacan's student journalists in their effort to keep the Ithaca College and wider Ithaca community informed. Your contribution will go toward covering our annual website hosting costs and supplementing other expenses, including travel to conferences. Donate More to Discover More in News 2026 New York State Senate District 52 Candidates 2026 New York State Comptroller candidates Unity Center encourages youth civic participation through voter registration initiatives Ithaca College proposes plan to merge from five to three schools Student groups mourn lives lost in Oct. 7 attacks and genocide in Palestine Ithaca College community rallies together in support of Jane Doe and against IC’s silence About the Contributors Eamon Corbo, News Editor Formerly: Assistant News Editor – Spring 2025, Fall 2025 Sofia Fitzgerald, Assistant Design Editor