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Douglas vs. Stelson: Voters to decide tightly contested PA
By the end of the night, voters will have decided who will face incumbent Republican Congressman Scott Perry for the right to represent Pennsylvania's 10th Congressional District.
Janelle Stelson and Justin Douglas feature a race that pits a more moderate campaign vs. a "grassroots alternative." The winner will represent the Democratic Party vs. Perry, who was elected to Congress in 2012.
Is Perry at risk of losing his seat? Well, there's a lot of time between when the polls close tonight vs. Nov. 3, but the Cook Political Report suggests Perry's seat may be a little hotter than last time.
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In 2024, based on results between the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the district polled about five percentage points more Republican than the national average. Wind the clocks forward to 2026, and that number has shifted to just 3 percentage points.
Given Perry's narrow victory in 2024 against a potentially familiar face, he and his campaign may be watching the race a little more closely.
JANELLE STELSON
Stelson, a former news anchor, is embracing the spirit of fictional Philadelphia boxer, "The Italian Stallion" Rocky Balboa, as she looks to claim the 10th district belt in a rematch with Perry.
After losing by a few thousand votes in the first heavyweight fight, Stelson is positioned as a lead contender to turn the district seat blue. She hopes to claim victory on the back of a platform that prioritizes Pennsylvanian pocketbooks.
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“I will fight to bring your gas prices down, fight for foreign policy that puts stability in Americans’ pocketbooks first,” Stelson said previously. “And I’m going to fight to make child tax care credits permanent and be transparent about my votes.”
Her first campaign report for 2026 showed she held a decisive fundraising edge, with her first-quarter total of nearly $1.5M in earnings and more than $3M in cash on hand.
She hopes her strong showing vs. Perry in round one and endorsements from Gov. Josh Shapiro and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will be enough at the end of the night.
JUSTIN DOUGLAS
Douglas, meanwhile, who currently serves as a Dauphin County Commissioner, pitches himself as a grassroots political alternative focused on transparency and policies that prioritize the people of Pennsylvania.
He points to his 2023 flip of the commissioner seat, where he claimed a long-held Republican seat despite being significantly outraised, as evidence of his ability to beat Perry. It's worth noting that in the first quarter, Douglas only raised around $37,000 and finished with around $11,000 cash on hand.
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In other words, if money talked, Douglas would be considered a major underdog. Good thing Douglas doesn't subscribe to that line of thinking.
“It’s about mobilizing volunteers, connecting with people, and having a clear message,” Douglas said. “People vote, money doesn’t.”
He claimed that voter outreach and grassroots organization can overcome financial disadvantages. His surprise 2023 win, giving Democrats control of the commission for the first time in more than 100 years, gives him more than a leg to stand on.
Widely considered one of the most competitive races in Pennsylvania, who will be left standing when the last vote is counted? The polls close at 8 p.m.