Justin Douglas picks up 3 endorsements in PA-10 Democratic primary race

Dauphin County Commissioner and Democratic congressional candidate Justin Douglas picked up endorsements from three organizations representing immigrants and communities of color on Tuesday, with the Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, One Pennsylvania and CASA In Action all backing Douglas’s candidacy in the 10th Congressional District Democratic primary. 

Supporters praised Douglas as an elected leader who actively engages with communities of color. One speaker noted how Douglas, as county commissioner, offered support to immigrant families impacted by recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Central Pennsylvania. 

Robin Gurung, a Nepali-speaking member of Harrisburg’s Bhutanese refugee community who serves on API PA’s board, said ICE raids have led to roughly 20 Bhutanese community members in Pennsylvania getting deported as a result of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. He said Tuesday that Douglas actively worked to connect local families with loved ones who were at risk of deportation.

“It was Justin who drove all the way to Pike County Detention Center with families to let them meet with their loved ones before they would be separated forever,” Gurung said. “It was Justin who coordinated with community members and community leaders to provide support to the impacted families.”“Justin has a proven track record of standing up for justice, dignity and community care,” Gurung added.

Tyler Hartl, an organizer with One Pennsylvania, said that the organization will look to boost Douglas’ campaign by organizing volunteers, creating social media content and organizing actions within the Black community to support Douglas’ congressional campaign. 

Douglas said Tuesday that he was grateful to earn the endorsements of the three organizations and highlighted his service as a Dauphin County Commissioner, citing his efforts to expand ballot drop boxes and advocate for inmates at the county prison. 

Douglas vowed to stand up to special interests if elected, and expressed support for universal health care and banning members of Congress from trading stocks. 

“I know how hard it is to get by, and I know that decisions made in Washington affect everyday Americans right here in Pennsylvania's 10th district,” Douglas said. “Until we send principled leaders there who know what it's like … we're going to keep getting the same Band-Aid fixes to gaping wounds in our economy, and ultimately, that affects everyday Americans here in Pennsylvania's 10th.”

Douglas is running against former news anchor Janelle Stelson in the 10th Congressional District Democratic primary. Stelson lost to incumbent U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in 2024 by just over 5,100 votes.

Since launching her 2026 campaign, Stelson has racked up endorsements from Gov. Josh Shapiro, state Sen. Patty Kim, the Dauphin County Democratic Committee, and a wide range of labor unions. 

Following Tuesday’s press conference, Douglas expressed his desire to debate Stelson ahead of the May 19 primary: “Janelle is not ignoring me. She’s ignoring the voters ... Voters deserve to hear, side by side, my policies and her policies,” he said. 

“She refuses to sit with us, to share her ideas, to take questions in a way that might have to give an account for her policies last time,” he added. 

In a statement, a spokesperson for Stelson said she is focused on taking on Perry in this year’s general election. 

“Janelle is focused on doing her job – which is beating Congressman Perry and delivering for the people of Central Pennsylvania – so she will not participate in any effort that distracts from that,” a Stelson spokesperson said. “Instead, Janelle is going to continue listening to people across the district, and talk about her plan to clean up corruption and Perry’s mess in Washington.”

“The reason the Dauphin County Democratic Committee, Governor Josh Shapiro and almost 20 unions representing tens of thousands of working families in Central PA are supporting Janelle Stelson is because they know she is the candidate who will beat Scott Perry,” the spokesperson added. 

Stelson holds a considerable fundraising edge over Douglas heading into the primary election. At the end of 2025, Stelson had more than $1.5 million in cash on hand, while Douglas had roughly $14,300, according to Federal Election Commission data.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Douglas said he wasn’t concerned about the fundraising gap, pointing to his county-level win in 2023. 

“I’m not concerned about the fundraising gap. Look, money matters. I’m not going to act like it doesn’t matter. But as a commissioner, I was out fundraised 20-to-1,” he said. “Go look at my results as a commissioner – I won. I flipped a seat that hasn’t been flipped for 100 years in Dauphin County. No one else had been able to do it before, and we did it by mobilizing people just like this.”