Rep. Josh Riley (D-N.Y.) is making soaring utility costs a focal point of his re-election campaign in a highly competitive House district. His likely opponent, state Sen. Peter Oberacker (R-N.Y.), has responded by accusing Riley of hypocrisy, claiming that the Democrat is profiting from the very utility industry he criticizes. “I think we could sum it up in one word: hypocrite,” Oberacker told Fox News Digital, capturing the essence of the tension in their race.
Riley has characterized proposed rate hikes from New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) as “robbery,” accusing the utility company of seeking to enrich its Spanish parent company, Iberdrola. However, reports reveal that Riley himself owns up to $250,000 in mutual funds that include Iberdrola shares. Additionally, his campaign received $1,500 from a lobbyist representing Avangrid, Iberdrola’s U.S. subsidiary. This has raised questions about his motivations and whether he is genuinely committed to tackling utility monopolies.
In defense, Riley’s campaign has dismissed Oberacker’s accusations as a “pathetic attempt to distract” from his own connections to corporate PACs. According to his spokesperson, Riley “doesn’t own stocks and doesn’t take corporate PAC money,” positioning him as the candidate truly standing against utility monopolies. However, it’s noteworthy that Oberacker has received $350 from the Avangrid New York PAC since taking office, although his campaign claims these donations were returned before he launched his congressional bid.
Riley is in a tough spot. He won his first term by a narrow margin in a district that swung for Trump in 2020. His re-election campaign is attempting to leverage rising voter dissatisfaction with higher living costs, a strategy echoed by Democrats nationwide. Oberacker is not sitting idly. He is preparing to unveil proposals aimed at enhancing affordability, including a “ratepayer bill of rights” that seeks to provide transparency in billing and hold public hearings when rate hikes are proposed. “The average person who’s looking at these increases in bills could actually say, ‘Where’s this going? What is this charge?'” Oberacker said.
The stakes are high. As Oberacker points out, New York’s residential electricity rates are some of the highest in the nation, with rates over 50% greater than the national average as of December 2025. He argues that “radical environmental policies” pushed by Democrats in Albany are primarily responsible for this financial squeeze on residents.
National Republican efforts have sought to link Riley to New York’s 2019 climate law, which is believed to be driving the increases in electric bills. Some groups that previously endorsed Riley, like the Sierra Club and the League of Conservation Voters, had advocated for this legislation. Alarmingly, projections from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority indicated that households could face an additional $4,000 in energy costs annually if a proposed carbon tax is implemented. This adds to the pressure on Riley, as even Gov. Kathy Hochul has cautioned about the potential for “cataclysmic” costs for businesses stemming from such policies.
The outcome of this race is crucial. With the nonpartisan Cook Political Report designating this contest as “Lean Democrat,” control over the House could hinge on the result in New York’s 19th district. Oberacker insists, “There is no doubt that the House majority runs through the congressional New York 19th district,” underscoring the significance of this battle for both parties.
This election not only highlights the immediate concerns of rising costs for constituents but also raises questions about accountability and integrity in political representation. As both candidates prepare their strategies, the issue of utility costs could very well define their campaigns, providing a touchstone for voters already feeling the pinch in their wallets.
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