NY House hopeful sparks controversy by posting Nazi-uniformed grandfather photo
Republican congressional candidate Peter Oberacker resurfaced a 2015 Veterans Day post that featured his grandfather in a Nazi uniform, prompting criticism.
Peter Oberacker, a Republican state senator seeking to unseat Democrat Josh Riley in New York’s 19th Congressional District, posted a 2015 Veterans Day photo showing his grandfather Ludwig Oberacker in a Nazi military uniform, complete with a swastika-adorned eagle. The caption claimed his grandfather “gave his life for his country” and expressed a salute to all who served. Oberacker, who sits on the Senate’s Republican antisemitism working group, explained that the image was meant to recognize veterans of every war, though he now views it differently after his work on the task force.
He also referenced personal family impact, noting his father grew up without his grandfather. The post was later removed following criticism, and Oberacker declined to comment further. Earlier, his campaign manager Bobby Walker was dismissed after a group chat with extremist remarks was exposed.
Why it matters
The incident raises questions about a candidate’s handling of extremist symbols and its impact on voter perception.
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