Scott Perry's Election Denial Haunts His 2024 Campaign

Photo byOffices of Congressman Scott Perry

Scott Perry Faces Backlash Over 2020 Election Denial and Extreme Stances as 2024 Nears

Washington, DC- September 9, 2024 - Scott Perry, a prominent Republican representative from Pennsylvania, is finding his political foothold increasingly shaky as he vies for a seventh term in office. Despite his long tenure, Perry's ongoing denial of the 2020 election results and extreme positions on key issues have alienated many voters, putting his re-election prospects at serious risk.

Perry's Declining Approval and Political Challenges

Perry, a once dominant figure in his district, now faces mounting criticism and declining approval ratings. His steadfast support for former President Donald Trump's unfounded claims of election fraud has not only tarnished his image but also weakened his standing among Central Pennsylvanians. With national Democrats having spent minimal resources in his district last cycle, Perry's vulnerability is largely self-inflicted.

York Dispatch recently highlighted Perry’s controversial voting record, which includes votes in favor of government shutdowns, opposition to honoring Capitol police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and support for a nationwide abortion ban. As voters grow weary of these positions, Perry's grip on his historically conservative district is loosening.

York Dispatch: "Perry has voted in favor of government shutdowns, against honoring police officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, opposed abortion, and supported former President Donald Trump’s lie that the 2020 Presidential Election was stolen."

A Strong Opponent Emerges: Janelle Stelson

Perry’s reelection battle has intensified with the emergence of Janelle Stelson, a former broadcast journalist and a well-known figure in the region. Stelson, who previously registered as a Republican but now runs as a Democrat, is seen as Perry’s most formidable opponent yet. Cook Political Report has described her as Perry’s “strongest opponent yet,” signaling a challenging path forward for Perry.

Stelson's entrance into the race has brought renewed scrutiny to Perry's past actions and positions, particularly his attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. A DCCC spokesperson, Aidan Johnson, emphasized that voters are increasingly disillusioned with Perry’s extreme agenda.

Aidan Johnson: "The tide is turning against Scott Perry and his extreme agenda, whether he seems to realize it or not. Central Pennsylvanians are sick and tired of their representative trying to strip them of their fundamental freedoms, and it will cost Perry his job in November."

Shrinking Margins: A Sign of Trouble for Perry?

Perry’s political stronghold has shown signs of cracking. In Dillsburg, a key area within his district, Perry once commanded nearly 90% of the vote. However, this margin has steadily declined since 2014, reflecting a broader trend of increasing competition in the 10th district, especially after redistricting moved the boundaries north into more moderate regions like Cumberland and Dauphin counties.

In 2016, Perry comfortably won his third term with 66% of the vote district-wide, bolstered by overwhelming support from Adams County. But after losing this deep red county in 2018, Perry’s electoral victories have become narrower and more contested. In 2020, he narrowly won re-election by just 7,600 votes, a stark contrast to the 107,000-vote margin he enjoyed in 2016. This slim 51% victory was a wake-up call for Perry and his supporters, signaling that his once-secure seat was now in jeopardy.

Sticking to His Guns: Perry’s Defense of 2020 Election Claims

Despite the shifting political landscape, Perry has remained resolute in his stance on the 2020 election. On the night of January 6, 2021, following the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Perry took to the House floor to advocate for rejecting Pennsylvania’s electoral votes. His actions were part of a broader effort by some lawmakers to challenge the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory. However, unlike many of his peers who abandoned these efforts after the violence at the Capitol, Perry continued to promote Trump’s false claims of widespread voter fraud.

Perry’s attempt to overturn the will of over 3.4 million Pennsylvanians, including some of his constituents, was soundly defeated in Congress. His motion was rejected by 355 members of the House and 99 U.S. senators, but Perry has not wavered. He continues to argue that his objections were justified, a position that remains deeply unpopular with a significant portion of his electorate.

The Road Ahead: Can Perry Rebound?

As Perry heads into the November election, the stakes could not be higher. The erosion of support in areas like Dillsburg is a clear indication that his base is shrinking. National attention is now firmly on Perry’s district, with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee including it on its “Red to Blue list,” signaling their belief that it is ripe for a Democratic takeover.

With Stelson posing a credible threat and public sentiment turning against Perry’s hardline stances, his path to re-election is fraught with uncertainty. For Perry, the question remains: how much longer can he maintain his hold on the district if his margins continue to shrink and his refusal to concede on key issues alienates voters?

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