30 Facts About Janelle Stelson

Early Life and Background

Janelle Stelson's journey began in a unique setting, shaping her into the person she is today.

1. Birthplace and Early Life: Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, Janelle Stelson spent her formative years in the Seattle area. As the oldest of four sisters, she often took on a leadership role within her family.

2. Family Background: Her father worked as a state trooper and teacher, while her mother was a receptionist at the Naval shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. This diverse family background instilled in her a strong work ethic and sense of duty.

Education and Career

Janelle's educational and professional journey laid the foundation for her future endeavors.

3. Education: Stelson graduated from the University of Puget Sound, equipping her with the knowledge and skills needed for her career in journalism.

4. Career in Journalism: She began her journalism career at WHTM-TV in Harrisburg before joining WGAL-TV 8 in 1997. Her role as a news anchor made her a familiar face in Central Pennsylvania.

5. Awards and Recognition: An Emmy Award-winning journalist, Stelson's work has been recognized for its excellence and impact on the community.

Community Involvement and Political Shift

Janelle's deep connection with her community and her evolving political views have shaped her current path.

6. Community Involvement: Stelson has been actively involved in various community projects, from local events like Jubilee Day in Mechanicsburg to national news coverage such as the aftermath of 9/11.

7. Political Background: Initially registered as a Republican, Stelson changed her registration to Democrat on February 1, 2023, reflecting her growing involvement in politics.

8. Political Motivation: The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 was a significant turning point for Stelson, motivating her to become more politically active.

Campaign and Policies

Janelle Stelson's campaign for the 10th Congressional District focuses on several key issues and strategies.

9. Campaign Announcement: Stelson announced her candidacy in October 2023, criticizing Scott Perry's 12-year tenure for failing to address district issues.

10. Campaign Strategy: Emphasizing her connection with the community, Stelson's campaign highlights her familiarity with voters from her years as a news anchor. She raised over $100,000 in the first 48 hours of her campaign.

11. Challenges to Scott Perry: Stelson has criticized Perry for his voting record, including his rejection of the 2020 presidential election results and lack of cooperation with the House committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection.

Policy Positions

Janelle Stelson's stance on various issues reflects her commitment to her constituents.

12. Economic Policies: Despite her middle-class background and net worth of up to $1.4 million, Stelson supports raising taxes on middle-class families, a stance that has faced criticism.

13. Immigration Policy: Stelson advocates for a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants, believing it would allow them to collect social security and other benefits.

14. Gun Violence Prevention: As a gun safety advocate, Stelson supports legislation expanding background checks, implementing red flag laws, incentivizing safe firearm storage, and removing untraceable ghost guns from the streets.

15. Community Violence Intervention: She also supports funding community violence intervention programs and disarming domestic abusers who pose risks to women and vulnerable populations.

Endorsements and Fundraising

Janelle's campaign has garnered significant support and endorsements.

16. Endorsements: Giffords, an organization dedicated to gun violence prevention, has endorsed Stelson, highlighting her commitment to this critical issue.

17. Campaign Finance: Her campaign has seen significant fundraising success, with over $100,000 raised in the first 48 hours, indicating strong community support.

Personal Life and Public Perception

Janelle's personal experiences and public image play a crucial role in her campaign.

18. Personal Life: Stelson's husband has been mentioned in her campaign, particularly for paying off her student loans as a birthday present.

19. Professional Experience: With over three decades in journalism, Stelson believes her extensive reporting and anchoring experience will serve her well in Congress.

20. Public Perception: Her long-standing presence in Central Pennsylvania has made her a familiar figure, with many voters recognizing her from her role at WGAL-TV 8.

Competitive Field and Campaign Messaging

Janelle faces a competitive field but remains focused on her core messages.

21. Competitive Field: Stelson joins a crowded field of Democratic challengers for the 10th Congressional District, including retired Marine Mike O’Brien and Harrisburg City Councilor Shamaine Daniels.

22. Campaign Messaging: Her campaign emphasizes trust, safety, health, education, and good-paying jobs as essential needs for the district, positioning herself as someone who can be trusted in Washington.

Criticisms and Controversies

Janelle Stelson has faced criticisms and highlighted controversies involving her opponent.

23. Policy Positions: Stelson has criticized Scott Perry for voting against bipartisan legislation to improve roads and bridges and for taking money from big pharma while voting against lower prescription drug prices.

24. Investigations and Controversies: Perry has been under investigation for his role in the January 6 violence at the Capitol, and Stelson has highlighted this as another example of his failure to serve the district.

25. Capitol Insurrection: Stelson pointed out that Perry was the only Member of Congress from Pennsylvania to oppose giving a medal to the police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, further criticizing his stance.

Future Plans and Vision

Janelle Stelson's vision for the future focuses on key areas of improvement for her district.

26. Healthcare Policy: While her stance on healthcare isn't explicitly detailed, her focus on improving community health suggests support for increased access to healthcare services.

27. Education Policy: Stelson emphasizes the need for well-educated communities, suggesting she might support initiatives aimed at improving education standards and accessibility.

28. Job Creation: Advocating for good-paying jobs that can support families, Stelson focuses on economic development and job creation policies.

29. Border Security: Despite her commitment to various social issues, Stelson has been criticized for not addressing border security, a topic she has refused to discuss in detail.

30. Future Plans: If elected, Janelle Stelson plans to champion her constituents, working tirelessly to ensure no family endures the pain of gun violence or other community tragedies again. Her commitment to making real change in gun safety and other critical areas is evident in her campaign and endorsements.

Janelle Stelson: A Prominent Candidate for Change

Janelle Stelson's journey from broadcast journalist to political candidate highlights her dedication to community and social issues. Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, and raised in the Seattle area, she has deep roots in public service. Her switch from Republican to Democrat in 2023 underscores her evolving political stance, driven by events like the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Stelson's campaign focuses on gun violence prevention, economic policies, and community involvement. With endorsements from organizations like Giffords and significant early fundraising, she presents a formidable challenge to incumbent Scott Perry. Her extensive experience in journalism and strong community ties make her a well-known figure in Central Pennsylvania. Stelson's commitment to trust, safety, health, education, and good-paying jobs positions her as a strong contender in the 2024 Pennsylvania 10th Congressional District election.