GOP voters pick Trump-backed nominee in battle to flip crucial House seat
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Video GOP challenger calls Democrat a ‘hypocrite’ in spat over soaring electric bills
State Sen. Peter Oberacker, R-N.Y., spoke with Fox News Digital about his run for Congress and incumbent Rep. Josh Riley’s ties to the utility industry.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!Peter Oberacker, a Trump-backed Republican New York state senator, won a GOP primary on Tuesday evening, securing the GOP nomination to challenge incumbent Rep. Josh Riley, D-N.Y.
New York’s 19th district, which encompasses an area north of Manhattan, is one of many competitive seats Republicans hope to flip as they look to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, where they hold a narrow majority.
Despite a historically Democratic bent, Republicans last won the district in 2022.
Oberacker, who has a background in food business, has served as a New York state senator since 2021. In his campaign, he has pitched himself as a pragmatic public servant with a diverse resume.
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Peter Oberacker stands in front of a tractor. (Peter Oberacker for Congress)
"They say there are two things you should never see being made: laws and sausage. Well, I know both. Service has always called me. As a volunteer firefighter and EMT and as a town supervisor and county legislator," Oberacker said in a campaign video.
Oberacker received President Donald Trump’s endorsement earlier this year.
"As your next Congressman, he will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Ensure LAW AND ORDER, Strengthen our Brave Military/Veterans, Advance Election Integrity and Protect our always-under-siege Second Amendment," Trump wrote.
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The administration's memorandum of understanding with Tehran has exposed a divide among Republicans over what constitutes victory after the military campaign against Iran. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Most of Oberacker’s work in the state Senate has focused on rural agriculture, farms and ratepayer energy costs. In the past, Oberacker has introduced bills that looked to ban retroactive bills for businesses and a ban on using taxpayer funds to cover corporate losses. He has also spearheaded calls to investigate climbing utility prices.
"Results matter. That’s why I have introduced several bills as a part of my utility ratepayer bill of rights. This legislation requires transparency and accountability from the utilities and gives power back to people — where it belongs," Oberacker wrote in a recent post to Facebook.
He has raised just shy of a million dollars, according to Federal Election Commission records.
Rep. Josh Riley, D-N.Y., walks toward the U.S. Capitol building. (Getty Images)
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Having cleared the primary, Oberacker now heads to the general election, where he will face off against Riley on Nov. 3.
Riley, a first-term representative, won his seat in a narrow 51.1% to 48.8% victory over Rep. Marcus Molinaro, R-N.Y., in 2024.
Leo Briceno is a politics reporter for the congressional team at Fox News Digital. He was previously a reporter with World Magazine.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
