Peter Karl 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
Oberacker was born in Merrick, New York. He graduated from SUNY Delhi in 1983. After graduating from college, he joined his father, also named Peter Oberacker, in operating Spicey Pete's Meats, a market in Schenevus. Oberacker became a research chef and food scientist specializing in various meat products.
Political career
Oberacker was elected to the Maryland Town Board, a position he held for two terms before being elected town supervisor.[when?] After two terms as supervisor, Oberacker was elected to serve as an Otsego County legislator.[when?]
In 2020, retiring Senator James Seward encouraged Oberacker to run for the senate seat that he occupied at the time. Oberacker won the seat, winning 55.4 percent of the vote. He assumed office in January 2021.
In August 2026, a 2015 Facebook post by Oberacker resurfaced in which he made a Veterans Day memorial post for his grandfather, who died in the Battle of the Bulge fighting for Nazi Germany. Oberacker, who had served on the state Senate’s Republican antisemitism working group, came under fire for the post. He later said, "Looking at it through the prism of today, totally different story. Having been on the antisemitism task force for the Senate Republicans, I would look at it a little bit differently now."
Political positions
Utilities
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). 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."
Food safety
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. 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.
Recreation
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.
Cannabis
Oberacker voted against the bill that legalized recreational cannabis in New York. The bill was signed by Governor Cuomo on March 31, 2021.
Personal life
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.
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