Janelle Stelson is a lifelong Pennsylvanian, journalist, and community advocate who spent decades telling the stories of working families across south-central Pennsylvania. Born and raised in the region, Stelson built a distinguished career as an Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, serving as a trusted news anchor and reporter for more than 30 years. Throughout her career, she covered local government, education, healthcare, economic challenges, and community resilience — earning the trust of viewers by holding powerful interests accountable and amplifying the voices of everyday people.
After leaving broadcast journalism, Stelson continued her commitment to public service as a small-business owner and nonprofit leader, working closely with local organizations focused on community development and civic engagement. In 2024, she ran for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 10th District, a historically Republican seat centered around Harrisburg, York, and surrounding communities. Her campaign focused on restoring accountability, protecting democracy, and putting people over politics. Though she fell short in her first run, Stelson built a strong grassroots coalition and quickly emerged as a leading Democratic contender for 2026. She is running again to bring honesty, independence, and people-first leadership to Congress.
Key Issue Stances & Priorities
- Protecting Democracy & Accountability - As a journalist and civic leader, Stelson has made defending democracy central to her campaign — standing up for free and fair elections, rejecting political extremism, and demanding accountability from elected officials.
- Lowering Costs & Supporting Working Families - She supports lowering healthcare and prescription-drug costs, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and fighting corporate price-gouging that squeezes middle-class and rural families.
- Healthcare Access & Public Health - Stelson backs protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act, expanding access to mental health care, and ensuring rural and small-town communities have reliable healthcare services.
- Public Education & Opportunity - She advocates for strong public schools, fair funding, support for educators, and workforce training programs that prepare students and workers for good-paying jobs without crushing debt.
- Reproductive Freedom & Personal Liberty - Stelson supports protecting reproductive rights and believes healthcare decisions should be made by individuals and families — not politicians.
- Pragmatic, Independent Leadership - Running in a swing-to-red district, Stelson emphasizes independence from party bosses and special interests, focusing instead on problem-solving and common-sense solutions.
Strengths & Campaign Momentum
- Trusted Messenger: Decades as a respected journalist give Stelson credibility, name recognition, and deep ties across PA-10.
- Strong First Run: Her 2024 campaign significantly outperformed past Democrats in the district, demonstrating growing competitiveness.
- People-Powered Campaign: Built a grassroots donor and volunteer base focused on accountability, democracy, and community values.
- Clear Contrast: Offers voters a clear alternative to extremism and partisan dysfunction with calm, solutions-oriented leadership.
- Top Pick-Up Opportunity: PA-10 is increasingly competitive, making Stelson a strong candidate in a critical cycle.
No Pennsylvanian should have to choose between the health care they need or putting food on the table.
When I get to Congress I will shake up a broken Washington and fight to make health care more affordable.-