Josh Riley secures second term in New York’s competitive district

The 45-year-old Riley previously unseated former Republican congressman Marc Molinaro in a close 2024 election, winning by approximately 8,400 votes. The Associated Press declared Riley the victor with a significant 46-point lead.

The Republican effort to support Oberacker was significantly hampered when the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican-aligned Super PAC, canceled nearly $5 million in planned television advertisements. This decision followed the resurfacing of a controversial 2015 social media post from Oberacker, the 63-year-old state senator.

The post, which has since been deleted, honored his grandfather, Ludwig Oberacker, who served for Nazi Germany and died at the Battle of the Bulge. The caption read, “I debated on whether to post this picture, my Grandfather [sic] Ludwig Oberacker who gave his life for his country, I salute all who served.”

Riley’s campaign benefited from a substantial financial advantage, raising around $6 million compared to Oberacker’s roughly $1.4 million, according to federal campaign finance records available through mid-October.

Riley concluded the election with approximately $1.8 million in available funds, exceeding the total amount Oberacker raised throughout his campaign.

Both candidates emphasized the issue of affordability in their appeals to the district’s 540,000 registered voters. Riley advocated for opposing the war in Iran and reducing utility bills, despite some opposition from labor unions and construction groups who questioned the potential impact of his proposed legislation. Oberacker’s platform centered on reducing regulations and lowering taxes to address affordability concerns.