Stelson-Perry rematch set in Pennsylvania’s 10th District
Janelle Stelson, a Democrat and former TV news anchor, has won the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, defeating Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas. With about 75.5% of the vote reported (31% counted at the time), Stelson will now face Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) again in November for a high-profile rematch.
The primary underscored two different Democratic strategies: Stelson positioned herself as a centrist who could attract independents and moderate Republicans wary of Perry’s loyalty to President donald Trump, while Douglas pushed a more progressive message and argued he has already overcome odds-including an upset that helped Democrats take control of Dauphin County goverment for the first time in over a century.
Stelson is expected to enter the general election backed by a wide coalition, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, the Democratic Congressional campaign Committee, local officials, several labor unions, and ample fundraising. Perry narrowly retained his seat in 2024 against Stelson.
Janelle Stelson, a Democrat and former TV news anchor, is headed for a second showdown with Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) in November, renewing a high-profile battle for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District.
Stelson defeated Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas in Tuesday’s Democratic primary after running a campaign centered on healthcare, economic reform, and rising living costs.
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With 31% of the vote counted, Stelson had secured 75.5% support, according to the Associated Press.
The primary highlighted two sharply different political approaches to taking Perry down.
Stelson cast herself as a centrist Democrat who could appeal to independents and Republicans uncomfortable with Perry’s loyalty to President Donald Trump.
By contrast, Douglas leaned into a more progressive message, arguing that his political track record showed he could defeat entrenched, better-funded opponents in traditionally Republican territory. Douglas, a former pastor, helped Democrats gain control of Dauphin County government for the first time in more than 100 years after winning a county commissioner seat in 2023.
Douglas frequently compared that upset victory to his uphill battle in the primary race.
“I was out-fundraised, I was overlooked, and I was discounted,” he told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. “And by out-fundraised, I mean out-fundraised by like 25-to-1. … It’s very familiar territory for me to be the underdog again.”
Stelson will enter the high-stakes rematch backed by a broad coalition that includes Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA), the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the Dauphin County Democratic Committee, local elected officials, and several influential labor unions, while also raising millions in campaign funds.
Perry narrowly held onto his seat in 2024, defeating Stelson 50.5% to 49.3%.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY RACES
A retired Army National Guard brigadier general, Perry is seeking another term in a politically divided district that combines fast-changing suburbs with deeply conservative rural areas.
First elected to Congress in 2012, Perry previously served as the conservative House Freedom Caucus chairman for two years. The district backed Trump over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, 52% to 46.8%.
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