Scott Perry

Symbols of the Democrat and Republican parties cut out of paper. Photo: Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash

(The Center Square) – As Janelle Stelson and U.S. Rep. Scott Perry inch closer to their rematch for the state’s 10th Congressional District, the Democratic challenger keeps outpacing the GOP incumbent in the fundraising race.

According to campaign finance reports released on Thursday, Stelson raised $2.32 million from the beginning of July to the end of September, while Perry raised $1.26 million.

The Q3 haul from Stelson, a former central Pennsylvania television anchor, is the third highest among congressional candidates running in the state, only trailing fellow Democratic challengers Bob Brooks in the 7th District and Paige Cognetti in the 8th District.

Perry’s fundraising total over the last three months is the fourth highest among congressional candidates in the state, while outpacing all of his fellow GOP incumbents.

The combined $3.58 million raised by Perry and Stelson in Q3 is the largest amount raised across all congressional races in the state over the past three months.

In addition to outpacing Perry in Q3, no congressional candidate in Pennsylvania has raised more than Stelson in the 2026 election cycle.

Since launching her candidacy in July 2025, Stelson has raised $8.69 million. Perry’s campaign has raised $6.51 million throughout this election cycle, which is the fourth highest among congressional candidates in Pennsylvania. The three ahead of Perry throughout the cycle are Stelson, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, and Cognetti.

No congressional race in Pennsylvania has seen more money brought in than the race for the 10th Congressional District. A total of $15.21 million has been raised by Stelson and Perry throughout the entire cycle. The next closest is the $13.39 million raised by the candidates running for Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District.

Stelson has also significantly outspent Perry over the last three months and throughout the 2026 campaign. From the beginning of July to the end of September, Stelson’s campaign spent $4.28 million while Perry’s spent $2.46 million. Stelson’s campaign has spent $6.3 million since joining the race in July 2025, while Perry’s campaign has spent $5.21 million.

Perry, former chair of the conservative U.S. House Freedom Caucus, is serving his seventh term in Congress. He’s being backed by President Donald Trump, while Stelson has the support of Gov. Josh Shapiro.

In 2024, Perry defeated Stelson by 1.2 points, which was his tightest race since winning a seat in the U.S. House.

As the campaign enters the home stretch, Stelson’s campaign has more money in the bank.

Entering October, Stelson’s campaign had $2.51 million on hand, while Perry’s campaign had $1.64 million.

The combined $4.16 million on hand between both candidates is the most among the closely watched congressional races in Pennsylvania.

Stelson also had a cash advantage point in the previous cycle, although both candidates have more money on hand in 2026. At the beginning of Oct. 2024, Stelson’s campaign had $1.37 million on hand, while Perry’s campaign had just over $715,000.

Pundits in the Keystone State and beyond agree that this race is expected to be a close one.

Sabato’s Crystal Ball and Inside Elections describe the race for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District as a Toss-up. The Cook Political Report, however, gives the narrow edge to Stelson, rating the race as Leans Democratic.

Isabelle Harman, who WGAL reports is an Army veteran, has also filed for the seat as an Independent. Harman’s campaign had just over $5,000 on hand entering October.