PA-10: Scott Perry ad levels unproven nudity claim at Janelle Stelson

Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry’s campaign has released an advertisement accusing Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson of exposing herself in front of a child, based on a neighbor’s account that has not been publicly substantiated.

The 30-second advertisement began airing Oct. 19 in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, where Perry is seeking another term against Stelson, a former television news anchor who narrowly lost to him in 2024.

The ad says police were called to investigate Stelson for exposing herself naked to a neighborhood child. It displays a document labeled “AFFIDAVIT” and highlights a statement from neighbor, Sharon Orr, who says she contacted East Pennsboro Township police on Aug. 14.

“This false accusation is a pathetic, desperate attempt by Scott Perry to rescue his failing campaign, with easily disproven lies,” Alma Baker, Stelson’s campaign manager, said in a comment emailed to Heartland Signal.

The statement was written by a neighbor who says she lives with her minor grandchild. Although the Perry campaign obscured her identifying details in the ad, the image of the document still shows the signature “Sharon Orr.” According to WITF, Orr’s house overlooks part of Stelson’s rental home and yard. Orr has Perry signs in her driveway and on her front porch facing Stelson’s home.

The document in the ad is labeled an affidavit, but it is a notarized personal statement, not a court filing or police record. According to WITF’s reporting, “there is no legal expectation that a statement stamped by a public notary is accurate, nor are there clear legal punishments if the statements are false.”

The statement was notarized by Cindy Gleim-Pool, sister of Republican state Rep. Barbara Gleim (R-Middlesex Township), both of whom have publicly supported Perry by championing and signing campaign petitions.

“It’s based on a completely fabricated story from Janelle’s Perry-supporting nextdoor neighbor,” Baker said. The spokesperson also said another neighbor has “spoken out in her defense.”

Orr alleges Stelson exposed her breasts and buttocks outdoors in view of Orr’s minor grandchild, though her statement does not specify where. East Pennsboro police confirmed to PennLive that officers responded to a complaint involving both homes. No charges were filed against Stelson.

The allegation involves a photograph Orr reportedly took but has not shared.

The ad comes as the race has tightened ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Stelson lost to Perry by 1.3 percentage points in 2024. Earlier this month, the Cook Political Report shifted its rating toward Stelson, while a Franklin & Marshall College poll showed her leading within the margin of error. Perry spokesperson Matt Beynon said the campaign’s internal polling showed similar results, WITF reported.

The advertisement was paid for by Patriots for Perry, Perry’s authorized campaign committee. The campaign has not publicly established what evidence it reviewed before approving the ad or whether it independently verified the alleged photograph.

The competing allegations come in a rematch between two candidates whose campaigns have repeatedly challenged each other’s credibility. Perry has represented the district since 2013. The state Supreme Court redrew the district in 2018, making it more competitive than its earlier configuration.

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