The Pennsylvania contest acts as a measure of the changing democratic narrative among Democrats
Republican Rep. Scott Perry is facing a challenge from former television anchor Janelle Stelson.
TroibNews 
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania — Republican Rep. Scott Perry, a prominent ally of Donald Trump in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, faces a challenge this year from Democrat Janelle Stelson. However, even Stelson acknowledges that her campaign's primary focus isn’t solely on the theme of upholding democracy, particularly in this increasingly suburban and competitive district.
“While there are some people who are still all cranked up about Jan. 6, it has evolved,” Stelson remarked, emphasizing that issues like food, gas, housing, and healthcare resonate more with voters. "The everyday things that resonate more with people than Jan. 6, even though nobody likes that and didn't want their votes overturned," she added.
Stelson incorporates the January 6 riot into a broader narrative that critiques Republican extremism, a strategy that has developed since the Capitol riot in 2021. Democrats, including high-profile figures like Kamala Harris, have shifted their focus to pressing issues such as abortion rights and the economy while still recognizing the importance of democratic integrity to rally their base and attract disillusioned moderate Republicans.
National polls generally indicate that preserving democracy ranks among the top concerns for voters, often alongside economic issues. However, the divide is evident in party perspectives: a recent Gallup survey revealed that Republicans primarily cite the economy as their top priority, while Democrats emphasize democracy. If a Democrat relies solely on democracy as their campaign message, it might struggle to attract crossover voters.
Harris pointed out former Trump chief of staff John Kelly’s label of Trump as a “fascist” and held a closing rally at the Ellipse, deliberately contrasting it with Trump’s 2021 remarks before the Capitol riot. Still, much of her advertising emphasizes her personal history, advocacy for abortion rights, and economic issues.
In an interview at her campaign office, Stelson identified affordability and abortion rights as the primary concerns of voters in Pennsylvania’s 10th District. The third significant issue is the concept of a “broken Washington,” reflecting broader sentiments of polarization, extremism, and congressional gridlock, alongside concerns about the January 6 Capitol attack and allegations of election subversion involving Trump and Perry.
Stelson’s advertising campaign includes highlighting Perry's endorsement of what she called a “nutty conspiracy theory that Italian satellites rigged the last election,” framing him as a lying “career politician” while warning that he would “raise taxes and cut Social Security.” In her closing debate statement against Perry, she confronted him about ongoing FBI investigations and asserted, “You don’t ask for a pardon if you haven’t done anything wrong.”
Perry was influential in pursuing a leadership change at the Justice Department to bolster Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. Though his phone was seized by the FBI in August 2022 as part of an investigation into these proceedings, there is no indication that he is currently a target for criminal charges.
In her debate with Stelson, Perry claimed he is “not under investigation,” disputing her accusations and characterizing them as “falsehoods” propagated by opponents and the mainstream media.
Perry’s campaign did not respond to requests for comments.
In discussions with voters supporting Perry, very few mentioned democracy as a key issue, instead prioritizing topics like abortion and cost of living. Although some voters acknowledged the significance of democracy, it was not their central focus.
Perry’s supporters largely dismissed democracy discussions. “We don’t want to hear about Jan. 6 anymore,” commented Terri Binette, a Perry backer. “Nobody wants to stay there. What good will that do?”
This disconnect poses a challenge for Democrats trying to emphasize democratic messaging in this district, noted Craig Snyder of Republicans Against Perry. He remarked that views on January 6 are “baked in” for many voters. “I don't think people are looking at how they vote for Congress, really, in terms of, ‘Is this person going to save or hurt democracy?’” Snyder argued, suggesting that while these issues are significant, they might not resonate with swing voters, especially given that Perry hasn’t faced criminal charges. “There was at one point [a looming cloud], but nothing's come to pass, and so I just don't think that's going to be the primary motivator for the swing voters.”
As the midterms approach, Democrats are considering the effectiveness of democratic messaging against a backdrop of candidates promoting unfounded claims about the 2020 election being stolen. Although many of these election deniers lost their races, some Democrats still found democracy messaging overshadowed by outreach on abortion rights following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe.
“In ’22, I think everyone was like, ‘What the hell just happened?’” said Brian Lemek, executive director of Defend the Vote, which supports pro-democracy candidates like Stelson. “It just had to set in for people, and we really did have to kind of understand and appreciate the real threat here.”
While Perry secured reelection by around 8 points during the midterms, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro won the district that same year. Democrats are hopeful that Stelson, a former TV anchor with more name recognition than typical first-time candidates, can successfully challenge Perry for his seventh term. She has demonstrated strong fundraising capabilities, outraising and outspending Perry, prompting national Republicans to step in with significant advertising support. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Majority Whip Tom Emmer have visited the district on Perry's behalf, following a stop by Speaker Mike Johnson.
If Stelson prevails, it will not solely be due to the events following the 2020 election. Other candidates have adopted similar strategies. In Wisconsin’s 3rd District, Democrat Rebecca Cooke is competing against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who attended the January 6 rally but did not enter the Capitol. Like Stelson, Cooke has indicated her campaign focuses on broader issues, highlighting voters’ concerns about affordability.
Democratic candidate Lucas Kunce, challenging Sen. Josh Hawley, occasionally references Hawley’s gestures during the Capitol protest but maintains that January 6 is merely “one piece of the puzzle.”
On the presidential level, Harris is also navigating how to present issues surrounding democracy. Some Democrats have voiced that she should focus her campaign on her personal narrative rather than solely targeting Trump.
Last week, during her rally at the Ellipse, she referenced the word “democracy” only once.
Kyle Cheney contributed to this report.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
“While there are some people who are still all cranked up about Jan. 6, it has evolved,” Stelson remarked, emphasizing that issues like food, gas, housing, and healthcare resonate more with voters. "The everyday things that resonate more with people than Jan. 6, even though nobody likes that and didn't want their votes overturned," she added.
Stelson incorporates the January 6 riot into a broader narrative that critiques Republican extremism, a strategy that has developed since the Capitol riot in 2021. Democrats, including high-profile figures like Kamala Harris, have shifted their focus to pressing issues such as abortion rights and the economy while still recognizing the importance of democratic integrity to rally their base and attract disillusioned moderate Republicans.
National polls generally indicate that preserving democracy ranks among the top concerns for voters, often alongside economic issues. However, the divide is evident in party perspectives: a recent Gallup survey revealed that Republicans primarily cite the economy as their top priority, while Democrats emphasize democracy. If a Democrat relies solely on democracy as their campaign message, it might struggle to attract crossover voters.
Harris pointed out former Trump chief of staff John Kelly’s label of Trump as a “fascist” and held a closing rally at the Ellipse, deliberately contrasting it with Trump’s 2021 remarks before the Capitol riot. Still, much of her advertising emphasizes her personal history, advocacy for abortion rights, and economic issues.
In an interview at her campaign office, Stelson identified affordability and abortion rights as the primary concerns of voters in Pennsylvania’s 10th District. The third significant issue is the concept of a “broken Washington,” reflecting broader sentiments of polarization, extremism, and congressional gridlock, alongside concerns about the January 6 Capitol attack and allegations of election subversion involving Trump and Perry.
Stelson’s advertising campaign includes highlighting Perry's endorsement of what she called a “nutty conspiracy theory that Italian satellites rigged the last election,” framing him as a lying “career politician” while warning that he would “raise taxes and cut Social Security.” In her closing debate statement against Perry, she confronted him about ongoing FBI investigations and asserted, “You don’t ask for a pardon if you haven’t done anything wrong.”
Perry was influential in pursuing a leadership change at the Justice Department to bolster Trump’s efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. Though his phone was seized by the FBI in August 2022 as part of an investigation into these proceedings, there is no indication that he is currently a target for criminal charges.
In her debate with Stelson, Perry claimed he is “not under investigation,” disputing her accusations and characterizing them as “falsehoods” propagated by opponents and the mainstream media.
Perry’s campaign did not respond to requests for comments.
In discussions with voters supporting Perry, very few mentioned democracy as a key issue, instead prioritizing topics like abortion and cost of living. Although some voters acknowledged the significance of democracy, it was not their central focus.
Perry’s supporters largely dismissed democracy discussions. “We don’t want to hear about Jan. 6 anymore,” commented Terri Binette, a Perry backer. “Nobody wants to stay there. What good will that do?”
This disconnect poses a challenge for Democrats trying to emphasize democratic messaging in this district, noted Craig Snyder of Republicans Against Perry. He remarked that views on January 6 are “baked in” for many voters. “I don't think people are looking at how they vote for Congress, really, in terms of, ‘Is this person going to save or hurt democracy?’” Snyder argued, suggesting that while these issues are significant, they might not resonate with swing voters, especially given that Perry hasn’t faced criminal charges. “There was at one point [a looming cloud], but nothing's come to pass, and so I just don't think that's going to be the primary motivator for the swing voters.”
As the midterms approach, Democrats are considering the effectiveness of democratic messaging against a backdrop of candidates promoting unfounded claims about the 2020 election being stolen. Although many of these election deniers lost their races, some Democrats still found democracy messaging overshadowed by outreach on abortion rights following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe.
“In ’22, I think everyone was like, ‘What the hell just happened?’” said Brian Lemek, executive director of Defend the Vote, which supports pro-democracy candidates like Stelson. “It just had to set in for people, and we really did have to kind of understand and appreciate the real threat here.”
While Perry secured reelection by around 8 points during the midterms, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro won the district that same year. Democrats are hopeful that Stelson, a former TV anchor with more name recognition than typical first-time candidates, can successfully challenge Perry for his seventh term. She has demonstrated strong fundraising capabilities, outraising and outspending Perry, prompting national Republicans to step in with significant advertising support. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Majority Whip Tom Emmer have visited the district on Perry's behalf, following a stop by Speaker Mike Johnson.
If Stelson prevails, it will not solely be due to the events following the 2020 election. Other candidates have adopted similar strategies. In Wisconsin’s 3rd District, Democrat Rebecca Cooke is competing against Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden, who attended the January 6 rally but did not enter the Capitol. Like Stelson, Cooke has indicated her campaign focuses on broader issues, highlighting voters’ concerns about affordability.
Democratic candidate Lucas Kunce, challenging Sen. Josh Hawley, occasionally references Hawley’s gestures during the Capitol protest but maintains that January 6 is merely “one piece of the puzzle.”
On the presidential level, Harris is also navigating how to present issues surrounding democracy. Some Democrats have voiced that she should focus her campaign on her personal narrative rather than solely targeting Trump.
Last week, during her rally at the Ellipse, she referenced the word “democracy” only once.
Kyle Cheney contributed to this report.
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
