Rep. Scott Perry Fends Off Democratic Rival to Win Reelection

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) speaks during a news conference with members of the House Freedom Caucus outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 28, 2022. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) narrowly defeated his Democratic opponent as Republicans picked up seats in two Pennsylvania districts where Democrats hold a slight registration advantage.

Perry, who previously chaired the conservative House Freedom Caucus, beat Janelle Stelson, a Republican-turned-Democrat and longtime local news anchor.

In a Nov. 8 statement, Stelson conceded to Perry and said she has called the congressman to congratulate him on his victory.

“It is my hope that he will be a representative for every Central Pennsylvanian regardless of who they voted for, and put partisanship aside to solve the challenges that face our community,” she said.

A six-term Pennsylvania congressman, Perry currently presents the state’s 10th District, which includes the state capital, Dauphin County, and parts of Cumberland and York Counties.

“I’m excited to help President Trump implement his America First agenda,” Perry wrote on X after The Associated Press projected his win.

His victory, along with the ouster of six-term Rep. Matt Cartwright and three-term Rep. Susan Wild, put the GOP closer to a House majority.

Perry had campaigned on issues such as inflation, the border crisis, healthcare reform, and women’s sports. He has been a staunch ally of Trump, who pulled off a decisive victory in the presidential election to become the second U.S. president elected to a non-consecutive term.

He has been vocal on human rights issues in China, leading the Falun Gong Protection Act to push back against the Chinese Communist Party’s state-sponsored forced organ harvesting.

The bill aims to sanction people engaged in the illicit act, with a proposed civil penalty of up to $250,000 and a criminal penalty of $1 million and 20 years in prison. It passed the House in June but is still awaiting Senate action.

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt on Nov. 7 said there are still at least 100,000 ballots to count after The Associated Press named Republican candidate David McCormick the winner of the Senate seat.

His rival, Democratic incumbent Bob Casey, hasn’t conceded. With roughly 99 percent of the vote counted, McCormick is currently ahead by 37,700 votes. Casey’s campaign cited election officials on the ongoing ballot count and the close margin in the race and said it intends to let the counting process play out.

Republicans have taken control of the Senate and claimed 211 House seats, seven short of a majority in the 435-seat chamber that would give Trump a trifecta when he takes the oval office. There are 25 races yet to be called. The final results in both chambers will decide the leverage Trump has to advance his policy priorities.