U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-10th District) and Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson (U.S. House photo/Stelson campaign)
This member of Congress represents the 10th District, which includes all of Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York counties, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Each representative is elected to serve for a two-year term. Representatives introduce and vote on bills and resolutions on behalf of the people of the district they serve.
U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, a Republican, was first elected to Congress in 2012. He faces a reelection challenge from Democrat Janelle Stelson, a former WGAL-TV news anchor.
The candidates, the ballot measures, and the tools you need to cast your vote.
The Capital-Star asked Perry and Stelson why they’re qualified to serve in Congress, why voters should trust them and how they would vote over the next two years. Stelson submitted written answers, and Perry did not respond to our questionnaire. The information in that section is based on Capital-Star reporting and other publicly available information.
Incumbent: Scott Perry
Perry, 62, grew up in Harrisburg and Dillsburg and now lives in Northern York County. He is a retired brigadier general with the U.S. Army National Guard. Perry served three terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He now serves on the U.S. House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, Oversight & Accountability Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Q: What are you most proud of doing in your congressional tenure?
Perry did not answer.
Q: Why are you the best person to represent the 10th District in Congress?
Perry did not answer.
Q: What do you see as the most important issue in the 10th Congressional District?
Perry did not answer.
Rep. Scott Perry talking to reporters at the Capitol Sept. 19, 2023 (Jennifer Shutt/ States Newsroom)
Q: Do you think abortion access should be enshrined in the Constitution? Why or why not?
Perry says on his campaign site that he opposes abortion with “exceptions for circumstances that involve rape, incest, and danger to the life of the mother.” However, he supported H.R. 431, which would have banned abortion nationwide without exceptions.
Perry also says on his campaign site that he supports defunding Planned Parenthood.
Q: Do you think the federal minimum wage should be raised? Why or why not?
In 2019, Perry voted against a bill that would have raised the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour. He said on Twitter at the time that he was grateful for his first job and “a higher minimum wage would’ve prevented me from entering the workforce, and discouraged my former employers from taking the chance on me.”
Q: What do you think America’s role should be in the Middle East conflict?
Perry has said that he believes Israel has a right to defend itself after the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023. Earlier this year, he voted against a bill that allowed the U.S. to provide $26.38 billion in aid to Israel.
Q: What do you think America’s role should be in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
Perry has said that Ukraine has a right to defend itself against Russia. In 2022, Perry was one of only 10 members of Congress who voted against a bill that allowed the U.S. to lend and lease military equipment to Ukraine. Earlier this year, he voted against a bill that allowed the U.S. to provide $60.84 billion in aid to Ukraine.
Q: How should the U.S. manage immigration at the southern border?
Perry says on his campaign site that he supports securing the border; giving Border Patrol agents more resources; deporting violent criminals, drug dealers and terrorists; and banning sanctuary cities. Earlier this year, he voted for a bill that would have allowed construction of the Mexican border wall to resume and would have required asylum seekers to stay in Mexico.
Challenger Janelle Stelson
Stelson, 64, lives in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, which is outside of the congressional district. She worked as a reporter and anchor for WGAL-TV news for nearly 40 years.
Former WGAL anchor Janelle Stelson. (Photo via Stelson campaign)
Q: What inspired you to run for Congress?
A: For nearly 40 years, I’ve been listening to and advocating for Central Pennsylvania communities as an anchor and reporter at WGAL-TV, WHP-TV, WITF, and WHTM ABC27. Voters across the 10th Congressional District have trusted me to shine a light on our issues, big and small. Now, with our basic rights and democracy under attack I’m joining the fight. We deserve a Representative who will work to safeguard our freedoms and make life more affordable.
Q: Why are you the best person to represent the 10th District in Congress?
A: We need Representatives in Congress who will fight for our freedoms and work hard to make life more affordable. Women must be able to make their own health care decisions with their doctors, NOT politicians. In Congress, I will fight to ensure the protections guaranteed under Roe are once again the law of the land. Big Pharma and insurance companies have jacked up prices and put lives at risk. I will fight for high-quality, affordable health care. Central Pennsylvanians also deserve a Representative who will advocate for policies that create good-paying jobs, and support our hard-working communities with a living wage. You should never have to decide between putting food on the table or paying for the care you need.
Q: What do you see as the most important issue in the 10th Congressional District?
A: I will vote for the following:
I support term limits and will limit my own terms.
I will work to cut taxes for the middle class.
I will vote to stop Members of Congress from using inside information to make money in the stock market. It’s corrupt. And I support banning Members from becoming lobbyists after they retire.
I will vote to secure our border. Politicians in both parties have failed.
I will protect Social Security.
I will fight politicians who want to ban abortion, even for victims of rape and incest. Politicians should stay out of our personal healthcare decisions.
Q: Do you think abortion access should be enshrined in the Constitution? Why or why not?
A: When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, I was live on the set and had to look into the TV camera and tell women that for the first time in 50 years, our reproductive rights are no longer protected under federal law. Women must be able to make their own health care decisions with their doctors. I will fight to ensure the protections guaranteed under Roe are once again the law of the land.
Q: Do you think the federal minimum wage should be raised? Why or why not?
A: I am running to fight for good-paying jobs and to bring down the cost of living. The minimum wage of $7.25 in Pennsylvania is outrageous. It’s lower than that of any surrounding state, including West Virginia. At PA’s minimum wage, an hour’s worth of work barely buys a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.
Q: What do you think America’s role should be in the Middle East conflict?
A: Hamas launched an unprovoked assault against Israel, beginning with thousands of rockets targeting innocent civilians and escalating into brutal violence throughout the day on October 7th. The United States must continue to unequivocally stand with Israel and support its right to self-defense. When democracy is threatened in Israel by horrific attacks from Hamas, a recognized terrorist organization, the global future of democracy is at stake. For those who share our values, unwavering solidarity is essential.
Our strategic approach to Iran must prioritize safeguarding human rights and preventing the development of nuclear weapons. We must continue to hold Iran accountable to international law. When Iran engages in covert operations or provides financial and military support that endangers millions of lives, it must face consequences. All options, including sanctions, should remain on the table. Additionally, the United States must continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, and other hostile actors in the region.
Q: What do you think America’s role should be in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
A: Ukraine is facing an unprecedented crisis due to Russian warmongering, with thousands of lives lost and millions of people displaced. Congress should continue to aid Ukraine to stop Russian aggression and promote stability in the region. By continuing to fund Ukraine’s defense capabilities, we can actively prevent the spread of authoritarianism and counter transnational threats of terrorism. Not to mention bringing down the price of our gas and groceries, once access to Ukraine’s ports is returned to pre-war shipping capacity.
Q: How should the U.S. manage immigration at the southern border?
A: We must secure our Southern border. We have a broken immigration system and both parties have botched the crisis at the border for years. I do not support open borders. It is unacceptable to allow criminals and life-stealing drugs across the border. I will work with anyone from any party to hire more border agents, deport immigrants here illegally, and shut down the border when needed.