YORK, Pa. — Note: The video is from Nov. 6.
Janelle Stelson announced Friday that she has conceded to Republican incumbent Scott Perry in the U.S. House District 10 race.
Perry was projected as the winner by the Associated Press on Thursday afternoon.
“A few moments ago, I called Congressman Perry to congratulate him on his victory," Stelson said in a statement. "It is my hope that he will be a representative for every Central Pennsylvanian regardless of who they voted for, and put partisanship aside to solve the challenges that face our community.
"Since day one, my campaign has been about bringing people together from across the political spectrum to uplift a message focused on reforming a broken Washington, keeping communities safe and prosperous and protecting our fundamental freedoms.
"I am grateful to every voter, volunteer and supporter who believed in this campaign, for standing with me and your dedication to democracy. The results are not what we wanted but I respect our democratic process and the will of the voters.”
Perry, 62, had a 1.6% lead over Stelson Thursday afternoon, with 99% of Pennsylvania's ballots counted. He earned a seventh term in a district that has modestly favored Republicans since it was redrawn in 2018.
Perry was chairman of the Freedom Caucus, a hard-line faction of conservatives that exerts outsize influence on the GOP majority, and was the only lawmaker to have his cellphone seized by FBI agents investigating the web of Trump loyalists who were central to the former president's bid to remain in power after his 2020 reelection loss.
More about Perry's efforts to help Trump emerged since he was last reelected in 2022. Those details included Perry’s efforts to elevate Jeffrey Clark to Trump’s acting attorney general — designed to reverse the Department of Justice’s stance that it had found no evidence of widespread voting fraud that would change the election result.
Perry has not been charged with a crime.
“First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt thanks to God, and my family, friends, and Voters who supported me in more ways than I can express," Perry said Wednesday, when he declared victory in the race. "To my Staff and the hundreds of volunteers who gave selflessly and tirelessly to fight by my side to protect our precious American values, 'Thank You' will never be enough. Your breathtaking efforts and tireless commitment gave me the additional lift, fortitude, and inspiration to fight every minute of this battle.
"I’m excited to help President Trump implement his America First agenda, and I am honored and humbled to serve by your side, and the People of south-central Pennsylvania. May God bless you all.”