The Gist
Home

Federal

U.S. Representative, 19th Congressional District

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A U.S. representative votes on federal laws and the federal budget in the U.S. House.

Covers Broome County, Chenango County, Columbia County, Delaware County, Greene County, Otsego County, Sullivan County, Tompkins County, part of Cortland County, part of Rensselaer County and part of Ulster County.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Peter K. OberackerRepublican, Conservative

    No documented position found.

  • Josh RileyDemocratic, Working Families

    • Supports eliminating federal taxes on Social Security benefits.

Public safety

  • Peter K. OberackerRepublican, Conservative

    No documented position found.

  • Josh RileyDemocratic, Working Families

    • Supports universal background checks for gun purchases.

Economy & jobs

  • Peter K. OberackerRepublican, Conservative

    • Supports banning ratepayer dollars for utility lobbying.In office
    • Proposes fully itemized utility bills.In office
    • Sponsored state job listing database for veterans.In office

  • Josh RileyDemocratic, Working Families

    • Supports banning foreign ownership of American utilities.
    • Supports the PRO Act protecting the right to unionize.

Health & human services

  • Peter K. OberackerRepublican, Conservative

    • Sponsored state bill banning Red 3 and potassium bromate.In office
    • Supports protecting school-based health centers.In office

  • Josh RileyDemocratic, Working Families

    • Supports the Women’s Health Protection Act restoring Roe protections.

Government & transparency

  • Peter K. OberackerRepublican, Conservative

    • Supports a state watchdog agency for utility ratepayers.In office

  • Josh RileyDemocratic, Working Families

    • Introduced the Drain the Swamp Act banning corporate PACs.

Courts & justice

  • Peter K. OberackerRepublican, Conservative

    No documented position found.

  • Josh RileyDemocratic, Working Families

    • Supports changing cashless bail to give judges more discretion.

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.