Peter Oberacker
Pete Oberacker | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Oberacker in 2022 | |
| Member of the New York State Senate from the 51st district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | James Seward |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 13, 1963 Merrick, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | State University of New York, Delhi |
| Website | State Senate website Campaign website |
Peter K. Oberacker Jr. (born May 13, 1963) is an American businessman and politician. He is a member of the New York State Senate, representing, the 51st district. The boundaries of the 51st district changed following the 2020 United States redistricting cycle, and the district now includes portions of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. First elected to the state senate in 2020, he succeeded the longtime incumbent James Seward, and assumed office in January 2021. Prior to becoming a state senator, he served in different local offices and helped launch the company FormTech Solutions.
Early life and career
[edit]Oberacker was born in Merrick, New York. He graduated from SUNY Delhi. After graduating from college, he joined his father, also named Peter Oberacker, in operating Spicey Pete's Meats, a market in Schenevus.[1]
Oberacker first entered the political sphere when he was elected to the Maryland Town Board, a position he held for two terms before being elected town supervisor. After two terms as supervisor, Oberacker was elected to serve as an Otsego County legislator.[2]
In 2020, retiring Senator James Seward encouraged Oberacker to run for the senate seat that he occupied at the time.[2] Oberacker eventually won the seat, winning 55.4 percent of the vote.[3] He assumed office in January 2021.
Political positions
[edit]Utilities
[edit]In June 2025, Oberacker called on the New York State Senate Investigations and Government Operations Committee to launch a full-scale investigation into the practices of utility companies, such as New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG).[4] Oberacker has also introduced the "Ratepayer Bill of Rights." a series of legislation that would outline "fundamental rights that utility customers should be guaranteed from accurate billing to fair outage compensation."[5]
Food Safety
[edit]Oberacker co-sponsored the bipartisan "New York Food Safety and Chemical Disclosure Act," which would ban certain food additives and colorants, and require packaged food companies to disclose more detailed information about the additives in their products.[6] The legislation specifically would ban Erythrosine (Red No. 3), potassium bromate, and propylparaben, which have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive toxicity, from all foods sold in New York State [7]
Recreation
[edit]Oberacker's first bill to be approved by the senate was a bill that designated baseball as the official state sport of New York, an idea that was inspired by Cooperstown Elementary School students. The bill passed by a vote of 61-2.[8]
Marijuana
[edit]Oberacker voted against the bill that legalized recreational marijuana usage in New York. The bill was signed by Governor Cuomo on March 31, 2021.[9][10]
Personal life
[edit]Oberacker has a wife named Shannon, who he calls his "high school sweetheart". He has two children and four grandchildren. He lives in Schenevus, New York, and is a member of his local fire department and EMS squad.[11][12]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Peter Oberacker | 81,783 | 53.2 | |
| Conservative | Peter Oberacker | 9,499 | 6.2 | |
| Total | Peter Oberacker (incumbent) | 91,282 | 59.3 | |
| Democratic | Michele Frazier | 55,620 | 36.1 | |
| Working Families | Michele Frazier | 6,865 | 4.5 | |
| Total | Michele Frazier | 62,485 | 40.6 | |
| Write-in | 93 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 153,860 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Peter Oberacker | 66,557 | 55.7 | |
| Conservative | Peter Oberacker | 7,951 | 6.6 | |
| Total | Peter Oberacker (incumbent) | 74,508 | 62.3 | |
| Democratic | Eric Ball | 44,938 | 37.6 | |
| Write-in | 110 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 119,556 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Peter Oberacker | 65,531 | 49.7 | |
| Conservative | Peter Oberacker | 5,448 | 4.1 | |
| Independence | Peter Oberacker | 2,021 | 1.5 | |
| Total | Peter Oberacker | 73,000 | 55.4 | |
| Democratic | Jim Barber | 58,691 | 44.5 | |
| Write-in | 180 | 0.1 | ||
| Total votes | 131,871 | 100.0 | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Pete Oberacker". AllOTSEGO.com. Retrieved December 26, 2021.
- ^ a b Harding, Robert. "Peter Oberacker hopes to use business, government experience if elected to NY Senate". Auburn Citizen. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "2020 New York State Senate Election Results | USA TODAY". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ https://www.wbng.com/2025/06/12/senator-oberacker-calls-investigation-utility-companies/
- ^ https://www.thedailystar.com/news/local_news/oberacker-introduces-utility-ratepayer-bill-of-rights/article_1d4ecb48-a56f-4bfb-8483-c9095235f296.html
- ^ https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S1239/amendment/E
- ^ https://www.cspi.org/page/new-york-food-safety-and-chemical-disclosure-act
- ^ Harding, Robert. "NY Senate passes Oberacker's bill to designate baseball as official state sport". Auburn Citizen. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ Mendez, Rich (March 30, 2021). "Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs bill to legalize recreational marijuana in New York". CNBC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ "NY State Senate Bill S854A". NY State Senate. March 27, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ "Peter Oberacker candidate questionnaire". The Daily Star. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
- ^ "About Peter Oberacker | NYSenate.gov". www.nysenate.gov. Retrieved September 2, 2025.
- ^ "2024 Election Results". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ "2022 Election Results". New York State Board of Elections. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
- ^ "New York State Senate District 51". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ "State Senator 51st Senate District - General Election - November 3, 2020". New York State Board of Elections. December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
