This story first appeared in The Keystone
Janelle Stelson’s Leap from TV to Politics
In a bold move, Democrat Janelle Stelson has transitioned from a 30-year career as an Emmy-winning TV anchor to running for Congress, challenging Republican Scott Perry for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District. Stelson narrowly missed unseating Perry in the 2024 election, securing 49.2% of the vote against Perry’s 50.9%. As Pennsylvanians grapple with rising living costs, she aims to address these issues head-on.
Addressing Economic Concerns and Accessibility
Stelson highlights the struggles of constituents facing rising prices in essentials like gas, food, and housing, which she attributes to the Trump administration’s tariff policies. She frequently encounters residents who are concerned about these economic pressures and Perry’s lack of accessibility, noting that he has not held a town hall meeting since 2019. Perry has even locked constituents out of his office this past January.
Stelson’s Stance Against Perry’s Policies
Stelson criticizes Perry for his involvement in Trump’s election fraud claims and his support for policies she believes are detrimental to constituents, such as voting for Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ This decision, she argues, has led to millions losing Medicaid, including 310,000 Pennsylvanians.
She also blasts Perry for not supporting the extension of federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, resulting in increased health insurance premiums. According to Stelson, constituents are overwhelmed by the rising healthcare costs.
Small Businesses and National Security
Stelson is vocal about the challenges faced by small business owners due to tariff taxes, citing examples like Angel Fox from Fox’s Laundromat, who has had to adapt her business model to survive. She also expresses concerns about national security, fearing further terror attacks and the impact of foreign policy decisions, such as support for Trump’s military actions in Iran.
Proposals to Combat Political Corruption
In preparation for the Democratic primary on May 19, where she will compete against Justin Douglas, Stelson has unveiled her agenda to tackle corruption in Washington, DC. Her proposals include:
- Term Limits: Limit Congress members to 12 years in office to prevent career politicians.
- Age Limits: Establish age restrictions for Congress members.
- Transparency: Release the full Epstein files.
- Cut Perks: Eliminate first-class flights and luxury perks for Congress members.
- Pardoning Power: Restrict the president’s pardoning authority.
- Stock Trading Ban: Prohibit Congress members and their families from trading individual stocks while in office.
- Prediction Markets Ban: Ban elected officials from betting in prediction markets.
- Citizens United: Advocate for a constitutional amendment to overturn the US Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC.
