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23 ads analyzed · 14 use a rhetorical technique, most often glittering generalities and loaded language.
The words doing the persuading
Paid for by Josh Riley for Congress“…and corrupt politicians have had their way in Washington for too long. Josh Riley is putting working families first by taking zero corporate PAC dollars.”Glittering GeneralitiesSee this ad →
Peter Oberacker (Republican) and Josh Riley (Democrat) are the nominees for New York's 19th congressional district in the November 3, 2026 general election. Josh Riley is the incumbent. By their latest FEC reports, Peter Oberacker's campaign had raised $1.4 million (through October 14, 2026) and Josh Riley's campaign $6.0 million (through October 14, 2026). Outside groups have reported $9,000 for Peter Oberacker and $25,000 against; $75,000 for Josh Riley and $0 against. Semblen has analyzed 23 ads in this race; 14 used at least one rhetorical technique, most often glittering generalities and name calling.
Peter Oberacker (REP), Josh Riley (DEM, incumbent).
23 ads analyzed, 14 with at least one technique in the copy.
Newest first. The paid-for-by line is the advertiser's own filing. Updated 2026-10-25.
Anyone can vote by mail; request a ballot by Sat, Oct 24 (Received by county board, 10 days before; in-person application until Nov 2.); return it by Tue, Nov 3 (Postmarked by Nov 3 and received by Nov 10; or delivered to county board by 9 p.m. Nov 3.) (passed)Source: elections.ny.gov ↗
Checked October 8, 2026. Rules can change; confirm with the official site before you go.
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A person reads every report and fixes errors the same day.
Where they stand
From each campaign's own website, summarised in plain English, with a quote where they gave one; under an issue, Senate votes for those who have cast them. Full detail and sources on each profile: Peter Oberacker · Josh Riley.
Economy and cost of livingOberacker: no position · Riley: stated
Peter Oberacker (REP)
No stated position on their website.
Josh Riley (DEM, incumbent)
Riley says he wants to lower costs by banning corporate price gouging, suspending the federal gas tax, capping child care costs, and banning Wall Street investors from buying up homes. He also says he wants to rebuild Upstate manufacturing and preserve the CHIPS & Science Act.
Riley says he wants a middle-class tax cut by boosting the Child Tax Credit, ending federal taxes on Social Security benefits, and making union dues and work expenses fully deductible. He also wants to make state-mandated utility fees tax deductible and end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas.
Riley says he wants to let Medicare negotiate drug prices, cap out-of-pocket prescription costs at $2,000 a year, and require insurers to spend more premiums on care. He is pushing a two-year extension of the enhanced ACA premium tax credits and funding for rural hospitals, and opposed the 2025 budget law that cut Medicaid.
Social Security and MedicareOberacker: no position · Riley: stated
Peter Oberacker (REP)
No stated position on their website.
Josh Riley (DEM, incumbent)
Riley says he will never cut a penny from Social Security or Medicare. He wants to end federal taxes on Social Security benefits, add dental, vision and hearing to Medicare, make Medicare telehealth permanent, and keep Social Security field offices and phone service open.
“Josh will never cut a penny from Social Security or Medicare.”
Immigration and the borderOberacker: no position · Riley: stated
Peter Oberacker (REP)
No stated position on their website.
Josh Riley (DEM, incumbent)
Riley says he wants to hire more border agents and immigration judges, add fentanyl detection at ports of entry, and update visa programs for farm and trade labor. He says he supports legal immigration and wants bipartisan reform that secures the border.
Riley says women's healthcare decisions should be left to women, not politicians. He backs the Women's Health Protection Act to restore Roe v. Wade protections, wants to protect access to birth control, and is fighting restrictions on mifepristone.
Energy and climateOberacker: no position · Riley: stated
Peter Oberacker (REP)
No stated position on their website.
Josh Riley (DEM, incumbent)
Riley says he wants to lower utility bills by taking utilities to court over rate hikes, banning foreign ownership of utilities, and barring CEO bonuses when rates rise. He also says he wants to protect the EPA's power to regulate greenhouse gases, make polluters pay for cleanups, and upgrade water systems to filter out PFAS.
Riley says he wants to keep guns from dangerous people while respecting law-abiding gun owners' Second Amendment rights. He supports universal background checks and safe storage laws for firearms in homes.
Crime and policingOberacker: no position · Riley: stated
Peter Oberacker (REP)
No stated position on their website.
Josh Riley (DEM, incumbent)
Riley says he opposes defunding the police and wants more resources for public safety. He wants New York's cashless bail law changed to give judges more discretion over repeat and violent offenders, and supports cracking down on fentanyl smuggling and organized retail theft.
Riley says he wants to block efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, fully fund special education, and hire more school counselors. He also supports recruiting STEM teachers for rural schools, expanding arts and music, career and technical education, and universal preschool for three- and four-year-olds.
Foreign policy and defenseOberacker: no position · Riley: stated
Peter Oberacker (REP)
No stated position on their website.
Josh Riley (DEM, incumbent)
Riley says America should show strength while pursuing peace. He wants to confront Iran, Russia, China and North Korea, combat terrorism, secure the borders, and spend defense funds efficiently while prioritizing American jobs. He also wants VA scheduling modernized and expanded dental and hearing care for veterans.
Elections and ethics in governmentOberacker: no position · Riley: stated
Peter Oberacker (REP)
No stated position on their website.
Josh Riley (DEM, incumbent)
Riley says he wants to ban corporate PACs and dark money, bar Congress members from trading individual stocks, and set congressional term limits. He also wants to overturn Citizens United, restore the Voting Rights Act, end partisan gerrymandering, and add term limits and an ethics code for the Supreme Court.
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Findings
As of 2026-10-25. Counts are of distinct ads; the same text run many times is one ad.
Ads analyzed
23 · started running between 2026-03-10 and 2026-10-23
$43,400–60,498 on all ads, $26,800–38,626 on flagged ads · Meta reports ranges; these are the sums of their ends
Example
“putting working families first” — Glittering Generalities, paid for by Josh Riley for Congress
· the flagged ad with the highest reported spend that shows the most common technique
A small box with these findings and the newest ads, updated as new ads are analyzed. Free for newsrooms, blogs and campaigns alike; it links back here.
Follow Josh Riley in office
Josh Riley won. Get what Josh Riley says in office by email, analyzed for rhetorical techniques, once sworn in. And an email if the result changes: a recount or a call reversed. One-click unsubscribe.
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Leaving out the softer ones (loaded language, glittering generalities, slogans, exaggeration, repetition): 35% of ads.
The words doing the work
The words that show up most in phrases our model flagged as loaded language or name calling in this race's ads, by number of ads.
corrupt politicianin 3 ads· e.g. “corrupt politicians”, “corporate greed and corrupt politicians”
MAGAin 3 ads· e.g. “the MAGA machine”, “Peter Oberacker has his MAGA allies”
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Money in this race
From FEC filings for 2025–26. Outside spending is money a group spends on its own about a candidate — TV and online ads, mail, canvassing. It is not a donation to the campaign, and the candidate does not control it. Supporting means it was spent to help that candidate win; Opposing means it was spent to defeat them, usually on attack ads. Groups report it within 24 or 48 hours as the election nears. Raised is the campaign's own fundraising, as of its latest quarterly report. Largest donors come from each outside spender's own FEC receipts, with each donor's share of its itemized receipts; donors under $100,000 are not named. People are shown with the employer and occupation they reported. A donor that is itself a political committee is shown with its own largest donors. Companies and nonprofits don't report their funders to the FEC, so the trail ends there, and the page says so.
$1.4M through 2026-10-14individuals $551K · PACs $291K · party $17K · candidate's own money, incl. loans $130K · from the candidate's other committees $428K · cash on hand $23K
BUILDING TOGETHER— $16K opposing OberackerNATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA POLITICAL VICTORY FUND— $9,270 supporting OberackerAMERICAN DEMOCRACY PROJECT— $6,435 opposing Oberacker
· 1 ad on this pageLargest donors:
SMP $300K (63%); Rishi K Bhutada Shraddha $100K (21%), Star Pipe Products, Executive Vice PresidentRURAL FREEDOM NETWORK— $2,316 opposing OberackerLargest donors:
Sherwood Guernsey $151K (56%), Retired, RetiredNEIGHBOR VOICES PAC— $494 opposing OberackerLargest donors:
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES $1.0M (80%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); Lisa Mennet $250K (20%), Perigee Fund, Founder
Bundled through PACs
none reported · FEC bulk data of 2026-11-01
77 PACs gave directly — alphabetical; the legal limit is $5,000 per election
31 DAYS PAC $5,000
ABRAHAM LINCOLN PAC $2,500
ADRIAN SMITH FOR CONGRESS $2,000
ALASKANS FOR NICK BEGICH $1,000
AMERICAN DREAM DELIVERED $5,000
AMERICAN REVIVAL PAC $5,000
AMERICAN SECURITY PAC $5,000
ANDY HARRIS FOR CONGRESS $4,000
ANTI-WOKE FUND $10K
AUSTIN SCOTT FOR CONGRESS INC. $2,000
BAKER PAC $2,500
BIG IDEAS CREATE EXCELLENCE - BICE PAC $1,000
BOLD ACTION PAC $7,000
BOOTS ON THE GROUND - FEDERAL $2,000
BRETTPAC $4,500
BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS & TRAINMEN PAC FUND $500
$6.0M through 2026-10-14individuals $4.4M · PACs $922K · party $5,800 · from the candidate's other committees $651K · cash on hand $1.8M
Outside spending
$75K supporting Riley· latest reported 2026-11-05
Largest outside spenders
AMERICAN DEMOCRACY PROJECT— $26K supporting Riley
· 1 ad on this pageLargest donors:
SMP $300K (63%); Rishi K Bhutada Shraddha $100K (21%), Star Pipe Products, Executive Vice PresidentRURAL FREEDOM NETWORK— $17K supporting RileyLargest donors:
Sherwood Guernsey $151K (56%), Retired, RetiredBUILDING TOGETHER— $15K supporting RileyNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE— $11K supporting RileyLargest donors:
CREPAC FEDERAL $2.5M (26%) (its largest donors: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE $1.3M); TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS FEDERAL PAC $1.4M (15%)PLANNED PARENTHOOD VOTES— $2,910 supporting RileyLargest donors:
Deborah Simon $3.0M (39%), Retired, Retired; Mary Quinn Delaney $1.5M (19%), Retired; Denise Sobel $1.2M (16%), Retired; PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND, INC. $500K (6%) (an organization: its own funders aren't reported to the FEC); Eileen Laspa $400K (5%), Retiredand 4 more
Paid for by Will Rivera For New Yorkfrom 2026-10-23spend $0–99100–999 impressions
I’m standing with Congressman Josh Riley because I’ve seen for myself how hard he fights for Upstate New Yorkers.
He’s challenged NYSEG’s proposed rate hikes, fought to keep data-center costs off our electric bills, and helped our town reach the right people when Washington wasn’t responding.
I’ve seen how hard he works for Upstate New York.
New Yorkers in his district, NY-19, let’s get out and vote! He’s not done fighting for us!
Vote Early Oct 24 to Nov 1
Vote on Election Day Nov 3
no techniques found
Looks up the ad's factual claims in fact-checkers, primary sources and wire reporting. Takes up to a minute.
Paid for by Josh Riley for Congressfrom 2026-10-208 variantsspend $0–79228,000–35,992 impressions
Josh Riley doesn't take a dime of corporate PAC money. Josh Riley took on NYSEG and corporations to fight utility rate hikes. While Washington may work for corporations, Josh Riley fights for us.
Name Calling: Discredits Washington as serving corporations rather than the public, using a contrast with the candidate as a hero. Flagged: “Washington may work for corporations”.
Paid for by Josh Riley for Congressfrom 2026-10-208 variantsspend $500–1,29258,000–69,992 impressions
Politicians in Washington get rich off inside information. That is why Josh Riley is fighting to ban Congressional stock trading. Josh Riley doesn't take a dime of corporate PAC money because Josh Riley fights for us.
Loaded Language: The charged claim that politicians 'get rich off inside information' implies corruption in emotive terms.
Exaggeration/Hyperbole: It makes a sweeping generalization that all politicians in Washington enrich themselves through insider information. Flagged: “Politicians in Washington get rich off inside information”.
Glittering Generalities: The vague, positive claim that he 'fights for us' carries no specific meaning.
Repetition: The candidate's name is repeated for rhetorical familiarity within one sentence. Flagged: “Josh Riley doesn't take a dime of corporate PAC money because Josh Riley fights for us”.
Josh Riley won. Get what Josh Riley says in office by email, analyzed for rhetorical techniques, once sworn in. And an email if the result changes: a recount or a call reversed. One-click unsubscribe.
Confirming also makes your free Semblen account, with a 14-day Pro trial. No card.
Paid for by INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AEROSPACE AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT WORKERS OF AMfrom 2026-10-13spend $0–992,000–2,999 impressions
UAW members, like you, screen candidates for the 2026 election so you can make an informed decision on or before November 3rd.
Josh Riley got the UAW stamp of approval for Congress because they will fight for higher wages, affordable healthcare, job security, and a dignified retirement.
Glittering Generalities: Lists vague, positive-sounding goals without any specifics on how they'd be achieved. Flagged: “higher wages, affordable healthcare, job security, and a dignified retirement”.
Paid for by Josh Riley for Congressfrom 2026-09-308 variantsspend $0–792500–5,292 impressions
When utility companies jack up rates, working families shouldn't be forced to pay the price while CEOs collect massive bonuses. Josh Riley is taking on the big utility monopolies and introducing legislation to cap executive pay and lower your monthly bills.
no techniques found
Claims checked
Checked with an earlier version of the checker.
No checkable factual claims in this ad: it's opinion and slogans, nothing a source could confirm or refute.
Paid for by Josh Riley for Congressfrom 2026-09-308 variantsspend $0–792100–1,692 impressions
When big corporations closed our factories, working families paid the price. Josh Riley comes from five generations of Upstate New Yorkers who saw our communities get left behind.
In Congress, he doesn't take a dime of corporate PAC money — because his vote isn't for sale, and Upstate New York always comes first.
Glittering Generalities: Vague, flattering claims of incorruptibility and loyalty to a region that sound noble but give no specifics. Flagged: “Upstate New York always comes first”.
Paid for by Josh Riley for Congressfrom 2026-09-284 variantsspend $0–396400–3,996 impressions
Hi, it’s Josh Riley—Democrat and fifth-generation Upstate New Yorker representing NY-19 in Congress.
Election Day is rapidly approaching, and I need your help to defeat my MAGA Republican opponent. He is getting big checks from MAGA donors and corporate PACs. We have to keep up.
Peter Oberacker has his MAGA allies. I have you. I need your support to keep fighting for our community. Will you chip in $19 to help us hold onto this blue seat?
Paid for by Josh Riley for Congressfrom 2026-09-284 variantsspend $0–396400–3,996 impressions
Al Franken is standing with Josh in the fight to keep NY-19 blue! Since being elected in 2024, Josh has stood up for Upstate New Yorkers against corporations and politicians who squeeze working families to line their own pockets.
Will you chip in $10 to let us know you're also standing with Josh in the fight against the MAGA machine?
Bandwagon Appeal: Cites a well-known figure joining the candidate to imply others should follow. Flagged: “Al Franken is standing with Josh”.
Loaded Language: Emotionally charged accusation of greed against opponents rather than factual claims. Flagged: “squeeze working families to line their own pockets”.
Name Calling: Labels the opposing political movement as a 'MAGA machine' to discredit it rather than engage with its arguments.
“Since being elected in 2024, Josh has stood up for Upstate New Yorkers against corporations and politicians who squeeze working families to line their own pockets.”
An ad is on this page because its own "Paid for by" line is a campaign in this race; or it comes from a national Senate group and ran mostly in NY; or it ran mostly in NY and names a candidate — unless its sponsor is a campaign for some other office. Ads from outside groups appear alongside the campaigns' own.
Campaigns run one text as many separate ads. Identical text from the same sponsor is one card here, marked with its number of variants.
A technique is a specific rhetorical move in the wording, found by our model and explained in one line. It is not a claim that the ad is false.
Claims are checked when a reader asks: press "Check this ad's claims" on a card. Running a check and seeing its verdicts are part of Semblen Pro, because each check costs money to run; anyone can see which claims an ad makes. The ten ads with the most money behind them in each race are checked ahead of time.
Claim verdicts say what the cited sources say. A verdict that an ad is wrong or misleading is shown only when it cites an established fact-checker or an institutional record — Congress, a federal agency, a court — and its confidence is not low; a weaker one is not shown at all. Each verdict shows what it rests on and how confident it is. If we got one wrong, press Disagree: a verdict that readers dispute and no one defends comes down.
Video ads come from the campaigns' own YouTube channels; the transcript is analyzed. Meta ads are analyzed on their text; their video and images are not, yet.