Stelson beats Perry, flipping PA-10 seat blue

In a rematch of their 2024 matchup, U.S. Rep. Scott Perry and Democrat Janelle Stelson once again vied for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District seat, but this time Stelson emerged victorious, flipping the seat for Democrats. 

The news anchor-turned-congressional candidate declared victory shortly after 10:30 on election night, with The Associated Press calling the race at 10:41 p.m. With 99% of precincts reporting, Stelson led Perry by a margin of 55.2% to 44.8%.

Stelson thanked voters for their support and promised to be an active listener who brings the concerns of 10th Congressional District residents to Washington, D.C. 

“You told me how badly you need a U.S. representative who will lower costs, make healthcare more affordable, take on Washington corruption and protect your Social Security. You also told me you are tired of leaders who answer to party bosses and special interests instead of the people back home. I will be an independent voice for Central Pennsylvania. We may not always agree, but I will always listen and I will never forget who I’m working for,” Stelson said in a statement. 

“It is the honor of my lifetime to fight for you,” she continued. “You learn a lot about a place telling its stories for more than 30 years, and now I am ready to bring your stories with me to the halls of Congress to help deliver a better future for all of our families, friends and neighbors.”

Perry had not publicly commented on the results of the 10th Congressional District race at the time of publication.

The 2026 contest between Perry and Stelson centered around affordability, the cost of living and foreign policy; the two faced off in their only debate of the election cycle on Oct. 14 in a heated affair. 

Throughout her campaign, Stelson focused heavily on affordability and the cost of living, knocking Perry for his support of the United States’ war in Iran. She pledged to vote to end the war in Iran and repeal President Donald Trump’s tariffs if elected to Congress.

Stelson also released an anti-corruption platform calling for term limits and age limits for public officials, as well as a congressional stock trading ban. 

Perry, meanwhile, touted Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the campaign trail, which extended tax rates set under the GOP’s 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and established tax deductions for tip income, overtime compensation and senior citizens. 

Toward the end of the election cycle, Perry campaigned with U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said that there is “nobody better prepared to defend and fight for Pennsylvania's 10th District, and for all of America,” than Perry. 

An October poll from The New York Times and Siena University found Perry and Stelson locked in a neck-and-neck race for the 10th Congressional District. The survey, conducted from Oct. 16 to 22, found the two candidates tied at 48%. 

In 2024, Perry defeated Stelson 50.63% to 49.37% – a margin of 5,133 votes. 

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee celebrated Stelson’s win in a statement Tuesday night.

“As a longtime local TV news anchor, Janelle Stelson has been a trusted voice for Central Pennsylvanians for years,” DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said. “Now, voters have put their trust in Janelle to be their next member of Congress because she knows that leadership starts with listening. Janelle is going to bring Central Pennsylvanians’ voices with her to the halls of Congress, and she will work with anyone to fight corruption and lower costs for working families.”