A short time ago, I called Congressman Riley to congratulate him on his victory. The voters of the 19th District have spoken, and I respect their decision.

I would like to thank my wife and our family for their unwavering support throughout this journey, as well as their incredible patience. I would also like to thank my team and all my fellow elected officials, party leaders, grassroots supporters and volunteers.

To the people of the 19th District: this campaign was about you. 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. 

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

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.

State Sen. Peter Oberacker (R-51)
Schenevus, NY