Former news anchor wins 10th Congressional primary; will face Scott Perry this fall

Janelle Stelson’s campaign raised more than $577,000 in a crowded field

• Jordan Wilkie/WITF
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  As the democracy reporter for WITF, I will cover any kind of story that has to do with how we govern ourselves. That will include doing a lot of election coverage about how to access the ballot, how public officials administer elections, the technology used to run and secure elections, and the laws that govern it all.
  
  My work will also include accountability coverage for elected officials that use their positions to then undermine democratic institutions, like the legislators that voted against the certification of the presidential election results on January 6, 2021. If that weren’t enough, I foresee covering some local government decisions, fights over public records and transparency, and some candidate coverage in 2024. Many stories can have a “democracy frame” meant to help us all understand how our governments work and how we can shape them.
  
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 Jordan Wilkie / WITF

Janelle Stelson speaks after being declared the winner of the Pa. 10th Congressional House democratic primary on Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Note: This article is based on results updated at 11:15 p.m. Results are unofficial until certified. WITF will update vote totals until they are made official. 

Democratic candidate Janelle Stelson earned 44 percent of the vote to win Tuesday’s Democratic primary for the 10th Congressional District. Stelson held a commanding lead from the moment mail-in results were uploaded shortly after 8 p.m. 

In her victory speech, the former WGAL news anchor mentioned only her upcoming opponent, Republican Scott Perry, who has held the seat for 12 years.

“You know, he uses his power for the most extreme votes, pushing policies that hurt people around here,” Stelson said. She listed Perry’s previous votes against regulating firefighter exposure to certain chemicals, against assistance for homeless veterans, and against assistance for veterans exposed to burn pits. 

Perry, who ran unopposed, had $448,000 on-hand as of the April campaign finance report.

“Our neighbors know me, they know I fight tirelessly for them, and they know I do what I said I would — which is fiercely defend their freedoms, their financial well-being, and their safety and security,” said a release from the Perry campaign. 

The statement also noted Stelson does not live in the district. She lives nearby in Lancaster County. Stelson said she has lived in the area — including in parts of the 10th District — for 38 years. 

Campaign finance records updated in early April show Stelson spent at least $385,000 on this race and had $192,000 left on-hand, though she said she spent a considerable amount of that money for a media push leading up to the primary. 

“I always pay more attention to somebody’s actions than their words,” Stelson said of Perry. “And I think we have looked at his extreme record and that’s what we will be showing voters over the next six months.”

Mike O’Brien led the remaining Democratic candidates with 23 percent of the votes.

• Shamaine Daniels earned 14 percent. 
• Rick Coplen earned 9 percent. 
• Blake Lynch earned 6 percent.
• John Broadhurst earned 4 percent. 

In total, O’Brien spent $571,200 on his campaign before the April spending push. The remaining candidates spent a collective $254,872, all as of early April. 

The district covers all of Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York counties. Officials there reported smooth elections. 

Results are unofficial until certified, which takes about two weeks. Provisional ballots and overseas military and civilian ballots can be received until April 30. There are not enough outstanding votes to change the outcome.

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