Republicans in Washington, D.C., have withdrawn support for New York congressional candidate Peter Oberacker.

Oberacker has been removed from the MAGA Majority list — an initiative by the National Republican Congressional Committee to support U.S. House candidates in competitive districts that are aligned with President Donald Trump’s agenda — over a controversial Facebook post and overspending. Oberacker, who currently represents New York’s 51st State Senate District, is running against incumbent Democrat Josh Riley in the 19th Congressional District.

In August, Oberacker faced criticism for a since-deleted Facebook post from 2015 where he honored his grandfather who fought for Nazi Germany. The post featured his grandfather wearing a military uniform with Nazi swastikas.

“I debated on whether to post this picture, my grandfather Ludwig Oberacker who gave his life for his country,” he said in the post. “I salute all who served.”

Oberacker told Politico that it was the only photo he had of his grandfather. Oberacker told News 34 that he has always fought antisemitism and has served on the New York Republican Anti-Semitism Task Force.

According to campaign finance filings, Oberacker raised about $1.2 million by the end of June — spending nearly $850,000 of that money, including $350,000 on consultants.

“Spending a few million in Upstate New York against Riley — who, … it’s not like he’s got a lot of enemies, and he raises money — it’s just a hard environment, hard to argue,” a Republican source told Axios.

“[Oberacker’s] internals have him down … and then there’s the Nazi thing, which is not a killer, but when you add them all up it’s like, ‘eh,’” the source continued.

Oberacker’s campaign team told News 34 that the race won’t be decided in Washington, D.C., but by voters in the district, which includes the City of Binghamton.

According to AdImpact, a firm that tracks advertising data across the country, the Congressional Leadership Fund also removed $4.2 million in television advertising in Binghamton, Syracuse, Albany and Troy.

The Congressional Leadership Fund works to get Republican candidates elected to the House of Representatives and “counters the efforts of well-funded left-wing groups seeking to elect liberals to Congress,” according to their website.

Oberacker announced his campaign for the congressional seat in October 2025. He received an endorsement from President Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social, in February.

“Peter Oberacker, on the other hand, is a very successful ‘Meat Market’ Businessman, Dedicated Public Servant, and now, as State Senator, who has strongly served his community with a career ‘loaded up’ with accolades and wins,” Trump wrote in the post. “As your next Congressman, he will fight tirelessly to Grow the Economy, fight 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.”

He was also endorsed by U.S. House Representative Mike Johnson on X.

“Peter Oberacker has proudly served New Yorkers in the State Senate and in Congress will help us continue to deliver safe streets, secure borders, lower costs, a strong economy, and peace through strength,” Johnson wrote in the post.

Oberacker’s campaign focuses on his “roots” in Upstate New York and is centering his efforts toward rural New York through supporting local emergency services and farms. Records show Oberacker was born in Merrick, Long Island and later moved to Schenevus in Otsego County, where he currently lives.

Oberacker previously worked with his father running their family meat market before working as marketing manager and executive chef at ConAgra Poultry. He later founded his own food science company, Agradigim, Inc., before serving on the Maryland Town Board.

In 2020, Oberacker was elected to the state senate and is currently serving his third term. He will be on the ballot under the Republican Party and Conservative Party lines for the upcoming general election on Nov. 3.

“As someone who has met Senator Oberacker and door-knocked for him, I can personally say I believe in the good character of him,” Nicholas Aparicio, the president of Binghamton University College Republicans and a senior studying philosophy, politics and law, wrote to Pipe Dream. “He reminds me very much of Thomas Massie; a local and community oriented man who holds tight to his values and origin.”

“The Republican establishment has allowed themselves to become an unpopular party among Americans, so they are scrambling to fund only the most ‘viable’ races,” he continued. “I don’t think anyone should count Oberacker out, even if our national GOP is.”