In Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, a rematch between Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson and incumbent Republican Representative Scott Perry is drawing heightened attention as Election Day approaches. Two years ago, Stelson, a former television newscaster, narrowly lost to Perry by just over one percentage point in the central Pennsylvania district, which is generally considered Republican-leaning.
Stelson has sought to position herself as a moderate Democrat, appealing to voters by embracing select elements of former President Donald Trump’s agenda, including proposals to reduce taxes on tips and overtime pay. Despite these efforts, Republican campaign ads continue to paint her as too liberal for the district, associating her with socialist and progressive figures.
Perry, a former chairman of the House Freedom Caucus and a staunch Trump ally, has drawn criticism from some Democratic groups who are now urging him to distance himself from the former president. These groups have launched advertisements encouraging Perry to “stop voting with Trump,” signaling potential shifts in local political dynamics even in a district Trump previously carried.
Stelson highlighted the risks Perry faces by closely aligning with Trump, noting that the former president’s declining popularity could affect Perry’s support. “He has been a very willing acolyte for the president and we have seen the president’s poll numbers drop precipitously,” she said in an interview. Perry’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.
The race further intensified recently following an announcement by the Department of Homeland Security regarding the arrest of a Nigerian man on charges of indecent exposure. The agency’s statement included a sharp political accusation alleging the suspect had worked for the Stelson campaign. Charles Wall, deputy director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.), said, “It’s unbelievable that Janelle Stelson would employ an illegal alien.”
The Stelson campaign strongly denied the claim, stating that the individual had neither worked for nor volunteered with the campaign or any affiliated vendors. Authorities reported finding campaign flyers in the suspect’s vehicle. Meanwhile, a watchdog group has called for an investigation to determine whether the Department of Homeland Security’s announcement was improperly used for partisan purposes.
In the broader context of Pennsylvania’s competitive House races, Representative Mike Johnson — who has campaigned extensively in the region — emphasized the significance of the district. During recent visits to Bethlehem and Nazareth, Johnson noted that the 10th District has been a frequent stop for his campaign, describing it as one of the key battlegrounds watched closely nationwide. “The entire country is watching what happens in about four districts of Pennsylvania,” he said.