Scoop: Scott Perry's ex-GOP colleagues endorse his Dem rival
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Democratic candidate Janelle Stelson campaigns at Broad Street Market in Harrisburg, Pa. on Oct. 19, 2024. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
Five former House Republicans who served with ex-Freedom Caucus Chair Scott Perry (R-Pa.) are endorsing his Democratic opponent Janelle Stelson, Axios has learned.
Why it matters: It's part of a growing trend of anti-Trump Republicans trying to thwart right-wing hardliners in key congressional races.
Driving the news: Former Reps. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.), Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Denver Riggleman (R-Va.), Dave Trott (R-Mich.) and Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) all signed onto a letter backing Stelson.
- The lawmakers, who are launching a "Republicans for Janelle" group, took aim at Perry's right-wing voting record and his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
- They contrasted that with Stelson having been "a Republican for most of her life" and "running on a mainstream platform" that includes tax cuts and enhancements to border security.
- "We know how difficult it is to vote for a member of the other political party, but having known and worked with Scott Perry, we urge our fellow Republicans to join us in supporting his opponent," they wrote.
The other side: "There is nothing 'conservative' about Janelle Stelson supporting the elimination of the Trump tax-cuts, Bernie Sanders' socialist healthcare scheme and an open southern border," National Republican Congressional Committee spokesperson Will Reinert told Axios.
- "It's not surprising, and certainly pathetic, to watch my former Never Trump colleagues endorse radical Leftists like my opponent," Perry said in a statement.
- He added: "Just like my opponent, they don't understand our values because they don't live here either. No one in my district knows who they are and their endorsements mean nothing to her campaign - or to mine."
Zoom in: Perry is facing a fight for his political life as a GOP leadership super PAC pours $2.4 million into shoring up his race.
- The district went for former President Trump by 4 percentage points in 2020, but Perry's co-sponsorship of anti-abortion legislation and the FBI's seizure of his phone as part of its Jan. 6 probe have provided Democrats easy ad fodder.
- Democrats, smelling blood, have poured money into the race, with Stelson spending $2.8 million on ads on top of more than $2.9 million from House Democrats' campaign arm and super PAC.
- Polls have shown an extremely competitive race, with one public poll last month putting Stelson up by 9 points.
What she's saying: "I am honored to have the endorsements of these public servants who believe in putting country over party and recognize the serious threat posed by Scott Perry," Stelson said in a statement.
- "In Congress, I will follow their lead, and fight back against the partisan politics Scott Perry embraces," she added.
Zoom out: The endorsements for Stelson track with an increased willingness by anti-Trump Republicans to endorse Democrats further down the ticket.
- Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) has endorsed Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) in her race for U.S. Senate, as well as Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pa.) and Democratic House candidate John Avlon.
- Riggleman and Kinzinger have both endorsed Democrats running for U.S. Senate, while Comstock has endorsed several Democratic House candidates in Virginia.
- All five have endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Riggleman and Walsh have switched their party affiliation from Republican to independent.
