This member of Congress represents the 10th District in the United States House of Representatives, which includes all of Dauphin County and parts of Cumberland and York Counties.
Each representative is elected for a two-year term. Representatives introduce and vote on bills and resolutions on behalf of the residents of the district they serve.
Rep. Scott Perry, a Republican, was first elected to Congress in 2012. He faces a re-election challenge from Democrat Janelle Stelson, a former WGAL-TV news anchor.
The Capital-Star asked Perry and Stelson why they are qualified to serve in Congress, why voters should trust them and how they will vote in the next two years. Stelson provided written responses and Perry did not respond to our questionnaire. The information in this section is based on Capital-Star reports and other publicly available information.
Job holder: Scott Perry
Perry, 62, grew up in Harrisburg and Dillsburg and now lives in Northern York County. He is a retired brigadier general in the United States Army National Guard. Perry served three terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He currently serves on the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
Q: What are you most proud of during your term in Congress?
Perry didn’t answer.
Q: Why are you the best person to represent the 10th District in Congress?
Perry didn’t answer.
Q: What do you see as the most crucial issue in the 10th Congressional District?
Perry didn’t answer.
Question: Do you think that access to abortion should be included in the Constitution? Why or why not?
Perry speaks his mind campaign website that it opposes abortion with “except circumstances that include rape, incest and threat to the mother’s life.” However, he supported it HR431that would ban abortion nationwide without exceptions.
Perry also says on his campaign website that he supports defunding Planned Parenthood.
Question: Do you think the federal minimum wage should be raised? Why or why not?
In 2019, Perry voted against the bill it would raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. He he said on Twitter he was grateful for his first job at the time and “a higher minimum wage would have prevented me from entering the job market and discouraged my former employers from giving me a chance.”
Q: What do you think America’s role should be in the Middle East conflict?
Perry said he believes Israel has the right to defend itself after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Earlier this year voted against the bill which allowed the US to provide $26.38 billion in aid to Israel.
Q: What do you think America’s role should be in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
Perry said Ukraine has the right to defend itself against Russia. In 2022, Perry was one of only 10 members of Congress to voted against the bill which allowed the US to lend and lease military equipment to Ukraine. Earlier this year voted against the bill which allowed the US to provide aid to Ukraine in the amount of $60.84 billion.
Q: How should the United States manage immigration at the southern border?
Perry says on his campaign website that he supports securing the border; providing Border Patrol agents with more resources; deportation of violent criminals, drug dealers and terrorists; and banning sanctuary cities. Earlier this year I voted for the bill it would allow construction of the Mexican border wall to resume and require asylum seekers to remain in Mexico.
Challenger Janelle Stelson
Stelson, 64, lives in Manheim Township in Lancaster County, which is outside the congressional district. She worked as a reporter and news anchor for WGAL-TV for almost 40 years.
Q: What inspired you to run for Congress?
A: For almost 40 years, I have listened to and supported the Central Pennsylvania community as an anchor and reporter at WGAL-TV, WHP-TV, WITF and WHTM ABC27. The voters of the 10th Congressional District trust me to shed delicate on our issues, huge and compact. Now, when our fundamental rights and democracy are threatened, I join the fight. We deserve a Representative who will work to protect our freedoms and make life more affordable.
Q: Why are you the best person to represent the 10th District in Congress?
A: We need representatives in Congress who will fight for our freedoms and work firm to make life more affordable. Women need to be able to make their own health care decisions with their doctors, NOT politicians. In Congress, I will fight to make the protections guaranteed by Roe the law of the land again. Big Pharma and insurance companies have raised prices and put lives at risk. I will fight for high-quality and affordable health care. Central Pennsylvanians also deserve a representative who will advocate for policies that create good-paying jobs and support our hard-working communities with a living wage. You should never have to choose between putting food on the table and paying for the care you need.
Q: What do you see as the most crucial issue in the 10th Congressional District?
AND: I will vote for the following:
- I support term limits and will limit my own terms.
- I will work to lower taxes for the middle class.
- I will vote to stop members of Congress from using insider information to make money in the stock market. This is corrupt. I also support prohibiting MPs from becoming lobbyists after they retire.
- I will vote to secure our border. Politicians of both parties failed.
- I will protect Social Security.
- I will fight politicians who want to ban abortion, even for victims of rape and incest. Politicians should stay out of our personal health care decisions.
Question: Do you think that access to abortion should be included in the Constitution? Why or why not?
A: When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, I was live on set and had to look into the television camera and tell women that for the first time in 50 years, our reproductive rights are no longer protected under federal law. Women must be able to make their own health care decisions with their doctors. I will fight to make the protections guaranteed by Roe the law of the land again.
Question: Do you think the federal minimum wage should be raised? Why or why not?
Answer: I run to fight for a well-paid job and reduce the cost of living. Pennsylvania’s $7.25 minimum wage is outrageous. It is lower than any surrounding state, including West Virginia. At AP’s minimum wage, an hour of work can barely buy a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread.
Q: What do you think America’s role should be in the Middle East conflict?
Answer: Hamas launched an unprovoked attack on Israel, starting with thousands of rockets targeting innocent civilians and escalating into brutal violence throughout the day on October 7. The United States must continue to stand unequivocally on Israel’s side and support its right to self-defense. When democracy in Israel is threatened by horrific attacks by Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, the global future of democracy is at stake. For those who share our values, unwavering solidarity is indispensable.
Our strategic approach to Iran must prioritize protecting human rights and preventing the development of nuclear weapons. We must continue to hold Iran accountable to international law. When Iran engages in covert operations or provides financial and military support that endangers the lives of millions of people, it must face the consequences. All options, including sanctions, should remain considered. Additionally, the United States must continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself against Hezbollah, Hamas, and other hostile actors in the region.
Q: What do you think America’s role should be in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
Answer: Ukraine is facing an unprecedented crisis caused by Russian warmongering that has left thousands dead and millions of people displaced. Congress should continue to aid Ukraine deter Russian aggression and promote regional stability. By continuing to finance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, we can actively prevent the spread of authoritarianism and counter transnational threats of terrorism. Not to mention the reduction in prices of our gas and food products when access to Ukrainian ports will be restored to pre-war shipping possibilities.
Q: How should the United States manage immigration at the southern border?
Answer: We must secure our southern border. We have a broken immigration system and both sides have screwed up the border crisis for years. I do not support open borders. It is unacceptable to allow criminals and life-stealing drugs across the border. I will work with anyone, of any party, to hire more border agents, deport illegal immigrants, and close the border if necessary.
