In a dramatic turn of events, five former Republican members of the House of Representatives are urging voters in Pennsylvania to reject incumbent Republican Rep. Scott Perry in the upcoming election. The former lawmakers, including Barbara Comstock, Adam Kinzinger, Denver Riggleman, Dave Trott, and Joe Walsh, have penned a letter condemning Perry’s actions and highlighting their concerns about his leadership.
The letter specifically points to Perry’s involvement in efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Perry, a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump, played a key role in pushing the false claims of election fraud and was even one of the few members of Congress whose cellphone was seized by the FBI in their investigation into the events of January 6th, 2021.
Beyond his actions regarding the 2020 election, the former representatives also criticize Perry’s lack of bipartisanship and his willingness to prioritize his own political agenda over the needs of his constituents. They highlight Perry’s consistent ranking as one of the least bipartisan members of Congress and his opposition to policies that would benefit Pennsylvanians, including legislation to protect firefighters, crack down on human trafficking, and provide housing for homeless veterans. They even point to his vote against the PACT Act, which expanded VA benefits for veterans affected by toxic burn pit exposure.
Instead of Perry, the former lawmakers endorse his Democratic challenger, Janelle Stelson. They describe Stelson as a more moderate candidate who is committed to working with Republicans and Democrats to address the issues that matter to Pennsylvanians. They praise her for her commitment to cutting taxes for the middle class, securing the border, lowering the cost of living, upholding the Constitution, and supporting fair elections.
The race between Perry and Stelson has become increasingly tight, with Stelson raising over $1 million more than Perry and attracting significant support from Democratic organizations. With the race now considered a toss-up, the intervention by these former GOP lawmakers could have a significant impact on the outcome.
This development underscores the growing political polarization in the United States and the increasing willingness of former party members to publicly challenge their former colleagues. It remains to be seen whether this high-profile endorsement from former Republicans will be enough to sway voters in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District and determine the fate of Rep. Scott Perry.
