ROSCOE — Republicans from across Sullivan County filled the Rockland House’s main dining room Sunday, October 25, for the county Republican Committee’s annual gala, where state Sen. Peter Oberacker and Assemblyman Chris Tague addressed supporters ahead of the November 3 general election.

Oberacker is seeking to unseat Democratic Congressman Josh Riley in New York’s 19th Congressional District, while Tague is running to succeed Oberacker in the State Senate.

Sullivan County Republican Chairman Rob Doherty opened the speeches with a warning about the growing influence of the political left.

“The DSA [Democratic Socialists of America], and people who do not agree with our values whatsoever, are on the march,” Doherty said.

Doherty urged attendees to encourage friends, family and neighbors to vote, emphasizing the importance of Oberacker’s congressional race.

“I’ve been saying this for seven months now that [this] race will come down to about 3,500 votes one way or the other,” he said. “And let it be on our side.”

Sheriff Mike Schiff echoed the chairman’s message, thanking local Republican committees for their campaign efforts. He warned that losing the Republican majority in Congress could derail the Trump administration’s agenda. “Every vote counts,” Schiff said, urging attendees to contact family members and friends before Election Day.

Tague, who is running against Democrat Michele Frazier for the 51st Senate District seat, delivered an energetic speech criticizing Democratic leadership in Albany and encouraging voters to elect Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.

“The most important issue in this [election] is affordability,” Tague told the crowd.

During an interview with the Democrat, Tague discussed his decision to seek the Senate seat after five terms in the Assembly, saying he believed it was time for a change.

“I don’t think that people should be in one house for 20 or 30 years,” he said.

Despite his criticism of Democratic leadership, Tague emphasized his ability to work across party lines, pointing to relationships with Democratic assemblymembers Donna Lupardo and Paula Elaine Kay. He praised Kay’s bipartisan work with both his office and Oberacker.

“It’s more important to get legislation passed than worry about whose name is on the bill,” Tague said.

Oberacker followed Tague’s energetic speech with a lighter approach, joking that he would bring the room’s energy down a little, comparing his delivery to television painter Bob Ross.

The state senator emphasized his record in Albany and his accessibility to constituents.

“You’ve had a chance to see me,” Oberacker told the crowd. “You’ve seen the way I act.”

He contrasted his presence in the district with Riley’s, claiming he traveled approximately 6,200 miles during August without having encountered the congressman. Oberacker also challenged Riley’s image as a political moderate and accused him of avoiding debates.

In an interview before the dinner, Oberacker offered a personal explanation for seeking federal office.

“I got five good reasons,” he said. “They’re my grandkids.”

Oberacker, 63, expressed concern about the opportunities future generations will inherit, saying he hopes to preserve the opportunities he enjoyed growing up.

He also pointed to his experience working with Democrats in Albany, arguing that Washington needs legislators willing to cooperate across party lines.

“I think we have really become so divisionary that maybe somebody coming in and leading by example, so to speak, can and will make a difference,” he said.

He also expressed support for expanding domestic energy production, including nuclear power, arguing that increased production could help reduce energy costs while allowing more time for the country to transition toward alternative sources.

Returning to the congressional race, Oberacker told attendees that his campaign’s polling placed him within the margin of error against Riley.

“We can be the spoiler,” he said, encouraging supporters to continue working through Election Day.