As the race in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District gets tighter, Democrats see the Harrisburg-area district as a potential pick-up opportunity. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) certainly sees it as such, as he made his way to Harrisburg on Sunday afternoon to kickoff a day of canvassing with Democratic candidate, Janelle Stelson.
“The great trifecta is in Pennsylvania,” Jeffries said, referencing the state’s key role in deciding which party will win the presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives. Jeffries’ pitch in support of Stelson worked to portray her opponent, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) as a threat to democracy and other rights that Jeffries believes Stelson would stand up for.
“If Roe v. Wade can fall, anything can fall,” Jeffries said, referencing the Supreme Court’s decision to return abortion access laws back to the states. Abortion is now eliminated or severely restricted in 20 states, according to Planned Parenthood.
He went on to say that “Democracy itself can fall,” and referenced the role that Perry played in the leadup to the attempted insurrection on January 6 after the 2020 presidential election. Jeffries said that candidates like Stelson are stepping up to “confront a moment of unexpected adversity” due to actions that he pinned on Perry, and the Republican Party at large.
“This gentleman doesn’t show up for just anyone,” said Stelson as she pointed back at Jeffries, referencing the winnable nature of the campaign.
The 10th district has been moving more to the center politically over the past several years. While Perry won reelection in 2022 by over 7 percent, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro won the same district by 12 percent. The Cook Political Report says that the 10th district race is “Lean Republican,” the lowest Republican rating before it becomes a tossup as to who wins.
Jeffries became the leader of the Democratic Party in the House of Representatives in 2023 after former Speaker Nancy Pelosi stepped down from the position. If Democrats win the House of Representatives, Jeffries would be the most likely candidate to become Speaker, a fact Stelson referenced several times.
