NEW YORK — Republican New York State Senator Peter Oberacker is considering throwing his hat in the ring to become the representative for Congressional District 19, which covers all of Sullivan County. 

The next election will occur in November, 2026. 

“I’m humbled by the encouragement I’ve received. After much thought and prayer, I’m giving serious consideration to running and will share my decision soon,” Oberacker said in a statement to the Democrat. 

Oberacker is currently serving his third term in New York State Senate District 51, which was re-districted in 2023 and includes all of Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie and Sullivan counties, and parts of Broome, Chenango and Ulster counties. 

New York’s Congressional District 19 is currently being served by Democrat Josh Riley.

The 19th District includes all of Broome, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, Tioga and Tompkins counties and parts of Otsego and Ulster.

Riley has confirmed that he has filed to run for re-election.

The large district could be a toss up as there has recently been slim margins among candidates, with Riley winning 51.1 percent of the vote in 2024, and Republican Marc Molinaro winning against Riley in 2022 with 50.8 percent of the vote.

Frazier to run

Former Senate hopeful Michele Frazier says she will run for New York State Senate again in the 2026 cycle to represent the 51st District. 

Frazier, who currently lives in Delhi and ran for this seat in 2024 on the Democrat and Working Families Party lines, is a former Oneonta City Councilmember. 

“The people of rural New York deserve better than career politicians chasing titles and favors. They need a representative who listens, fights for them, and puts everyday people ahead of politics, ambition, and the insiders who’ve failed us for too long,” Frazier said in a press release.