Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th) addresses supporters in the early hours of Nov. 6 as his race had yet to be called. (Photo by Ben Wasserstein for the Capital-Star)
Six-term incumbent Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th district) defeated former news anchor Janelle Stelson in their race for the 10th Congressional district, unofficial results showed. The Associated Press called the race 50.8% to 49.2% at 1:47 p.m. on Nov. 7, almost 36 hours after Perry’s watch party ended.
Perry, a former brigadier general in the Army National Guard, has been in Congress since 2013. From 2022 to 2024, he served as the leader of the House Freedom Caucus.
The 10th District encompasses Dauphin County and parts of York and Cumberland Counties,“Keep your spirits positive,” Perry told supporters gathered for his watch party early Wednesday. “Sun’s going to come up tomorrow.”
Throughout his campaign, Perry made the southern border a key issue; something that resonated with supporters such as George Settle, 69, from Dillsburg who, at the watch party, said at Perry’s election night party that immigration was a big concern for him ahead of the election.
“I’m basically pro bringing people in, but you bring that many people in, and their intent is basically to flood the market into the swing states,” he said.
Settle said one reason why he favored Perry was his leadership of the Freedom Caucus.
Perry played a role in Donald Trump’s failed attempts to reverse the results of the 2020 election – an election in which Perry maintained his seat – leading up to the Jan. 6 insurrection. Following the riot, Perry went on the House floor and continued to challenge the results.
In 2022, his phone was seized by the FBI concerning Jan. 6, though no charges were ever filed against him.
Before the 2024 election, Perry and five other GOP Congressmen filed a lawsuit challenging the eligibility of overseas and military voters. A federal judge tossed the case in late October.
At the beginning of the cycle, most pundits viewed the race to be in his favor, although the nonpartisan ratings outlet Cook Political Report shifted it to “toss-up” as the cycle progressed, citing Stelson’s background in television and strong fundraising.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson campaigned for Perry in Mechanicsburg in October, as some polls showed Perry’s support slipping.
Stelson mounted an impressive campaign for a political newcomer, raising three times as much money as Perry in the third quarter, campaign finance records show. She brought in $2.85 million from the beginning of July to the end of September, while Perry raised just under $855,000 during that same time period.
Perry’s victory may help Republicans maintain their majority in the U.S. House.
The 2024 election saw all Pennsylvania’s row offices and the presidency go Republican. The U.S. Senate race between Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Republican Dave McCormick is still too close to call.
Stelson had been criticized during the race for not living in the district. She had said she would do so after the election if she won.
This is a developing story
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