On a farm in York County, Democratic congressional candidate Janelle Stelson unveiled a coalition of Republican leaders, elected officials and voters that are turning their back on their party’s candidate in PA-10 and backing the former broadcast journalist.

Former GOP congressional representatives Jim Greenwood (Pa.), Adam Kinzinger (Ill.), and Barbara Comstock (Va.) took the podium to speak on behalf of Stelson and against incumbent Republican Scott Perry.

Stelson, who lost to Perry by 5,133 votes in 2024, outlined her primary motivations for running again while focusing on he economic struggles of Central Pennsylvania residents. She criticized Perry for his voting record, specifically citing his opposition to bipartisan legislation for housing affordability, veteran support, and funding for local police and firefighters.

“We have too many politicians, Democrats, Republicans, that are not actually interested in putting our country and the people they’re supposed to serve first,” said Stelson. “They put partisan politics and their corporate donors over us.

“The votes our Congressman Scott Perry has taken have made everything cost more: health care, utilities, housing, gas,” she continued. “Families are doing the math every month and coming up short, and they’re doing it while their congressman is nowhere to be found.”

She outlined the reasons for putting together the coalition.

“Time and again, he’s been the only member of Congress from Pennsylvania, Democrat or Republican, to vote against things almost all of us agree on, like housing homeless veterans, protecting firefighters from toxic chemicals in their gear, and funding local police departments,” Stelson said. “When you are the single “no” vote on taking care of veterans, firefighters, and police, that’s when we know you are out of touch, Scott Perry. Out of touch.

“We’re here because we agree on this. A congressman who has stopped serving Central Pennsylvania does not get to keep his job because of the ‘R’ next to his name. We are coming together across party lines to defeat Scott Perry and finally get our community a U.S. representative who listens to what you need, what you want. I’ve never believed good representation is a partisan thing. I’m not running to be part of a political party. I’m running to deliver for the voters of Central Pennsylvania.”

Stelson called out her opponent as a liar, criticizing his ad that refers to her as “just following the script” and that she would be “a puppet of Democratic leadership in Washington.”

“He’s lying and he knows he’s lying,” said the former WGAL-TV anchor.

Kinzinger, who now lives in Texas, critiqued the leadership and legislative effectiveness of perry, characterizing him as a corrosive force in Congress.

“He was always against compromise,” said the former member of the January 6 committee.

“We could have had so many compromises, even in the federal budget, areas where Republicans were trying to cut some spending, and we actually could have moved something forward,” he continued. “And Scott Perry would come out and say, “No, it’s not enough, or whatever it is, and would kill any effort. I think a significant amount of the problems that we’re facing today are due in no small part to Perry.”

Kinzinger, who said he thinks Democrats are more conservative than Republicans at this moment, also blasted Perry for his vote on the PACT Act, which said the government would take care of veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq.

“I’m a beneficiary of that, in full disclosure, because I was burn pit exposed,” said Kinzinger. “Scott Perry opposed that.

“But you can say anything-how fiscal conservative you are, how high and mighty you are-but when you vote against the very people that put their life on the line to defend this country, you make yourself unworthy of the job of congressman.”

Comstock shared her experience representing Virginia’s 10th district, emphasizing the necessity of bipartisan cooperation to serve diverse populations including military and federal employees. She accused Perry of supporting government shutdowns, opposing funding for veteran and first responder support, and supporting tariffs which act as taxes on consumers.

“I’m so grateful that Janelle has brought us here together, because we’re sick and tired of politicians like Scott Perry, who put themselves ahead of Pennsylvanians, and isn’t getting things done for the people,” she said. “Because he’s not really focusing on real solutions and legislation and the need to put people over politics.”

Greenwood, who called himself a lifelong Republican, said he is “all in” for Stelson.

“Because Janelle is pledged to represent everybody: the Democrats, the Republicans, and the Independents, and a lot of Republicans are going to be supporting her in this district, and all over the country as we have.”

He commented on his time in Washington when the federal budget was balanced for four years in a row and the deficit was reduced by hundreds of billions of dollars.

“Since Scott Perry went to Congress, the national debt when he got there was about 15 trillion dollars,” said Greenwood. “Since he’s been there, it has increased by another 25 trillion dollars, and you now have a national debt over 40 trillion dollars. Taxpayers of this country are paying 3.8 billion dollars a day, 4.8 billion dollars a day just in interest on that debt.

“We Republican reformers supported fair trade,” he continued. “We opposed irrational tariffs that were paid by working families and consumers here in the 10th district, raising the price of groceries, clothing, appliances, furniture, cars, and housing, and everything else. Scott Perry has consistently voted against efforts to block or constrain presidential tariff powers. He defends them.”

Perry countered with a statement that was not flattering to the assembled group.

“The spectacular headline writes itself: ‘A former Chicago Congressman who now moonlights at CNN and former Philadelphia and Virginia congressmen turned DC lobbyists travel to York to rally on behalf of a losing candidate with no principles and a desperate campaign.’ It’s like a bad joke, but that’s what happened,” said Perry in the statement. “Janelle Stelson recruited C-list, failed Republicans to join her team.

“Rather than playing to her fake Beltway friends who were all justifiably rejected by their own states and party, perhaps Stelson should explain to the Voters why she opposes tax relief to tipped and overtime workers, lowering taxes on Seniors, and expanding the Child Tax Credit for the People of south-central Pennsylvania.  Stelson herself said on July 30th that she would have voted against the Working Families Tax Cut that allowed you to keep your hard-earned dollars. Now – like the fake she is – she’s trying to take credit for the victories. How convenient.  I delivered for my bosses when they needed help the most.”