WELCOMEPAC ENDORSES JANELLE STELSON IN PENNSYLVANIA’S TENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
WelcomePAC, which works to elect moderate Democrats in conservative-leaning congressional districts, announced today its endorsement of Janelle Stelson in Pennsylvania’s tenth congressional district. WelcomePAC invested more than $2 million in the 2022 election cycle supporting Democrats Will Rollins (CA-41) and Adam Frisch (CO-03).
“With a Democratic majority in the House within reach this cycle, it is now more important than ever that we compete in districts where villainous extremist Republicans are vulnerable, and Pennsylvania’s Tenth congressional district is at the top of that list,” said Lauren Harper Pope, co-founder of WelcomePAC. “Janelle Stelson is a former local journalist committed to welcoming moderate Republicans and Independent voters into a winning Democratic coalition for her race in PA-10, and we’re thrilled to support her as she takes on and takes down Scott Perry this November.”
Janelle Stelson said, "I am proud to be endorsed by WelcomePAC. Its mission of supporting a new generation of authentic candidates focused on problem solving and strengthening our democracy resonates deeply with me. Together we will beat Scott Perry. I am all about big tent pragmatism.”
Welcome has worked in PA-10 since last fall, with WelcomePAC leading a "Republicans Against Perry" effort noting that Perry was one of just 21 House Republicans to vote against awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to the Capitol Police who responded to the Jan. 6 insurrection. A poll commissioned by Welcome last year also found Perry’s approval rating at just 34%.
Welcome’s write-up on the endorsement and the district can be found on its Substack, WelcomeStack.
ABOUT WELCOMEPAC:
WelcomePAC launched in November 2021 to build a “Justice Democrats for the Center" by recruiting and backing brand-differentiated Democratic challengers with the capacity to defeat democracy-undermining GOP incumbents on their home turf. Operating in three geographies (CO-03, CA-41, Ohio), WelcomePAC identified districts where voters were not given an alternative - where Democrats were "Conceding Democracy" by not supporting credibly funded challengers. By elevating candidates and messengers who appeal to swing voters in center-right districts, WelcomePAC supported two of the most over-performing challengers and is now partnering with the team of the third challenger.
These were districts where Nate Silver gave Democrats just a 2% to 5% chance of winning.
California-41: boosted the bipartisan credentials and Republican endorsements of former Gov. Schwarzenegger aide Will Rollins. Ranked 3rd most over-performing Democratic campaign in any GOP district. Silver rated this race as "Solid Republican" with a 5% chance of flipping.
Colorado-03: conducted polling, primary election voter engagement, and party-switching voter identification for independent-turned-Democratic Adam Frisch. Vote went to recount and was rated 2nd most over-performing Democratic campaign in any GOP district. Silver rated this race as "Solid Republican" with a 3% chance of flipping.
Analysis and perspective can be found in The Bulwark (continued electoral importance of Never Trumper voters), The New York Times (missed opportunities in the 2022 cycle), and The Washington Post (split ticket voters). Weekly reflections on the broader context of our work can be found on our Substack.
In 2022, WelcomePAC invested more than $2 million in three targeted geographies in its inaugural cycle informed by our perspective on the inefficiency of the Democratic marketplace and the ballooning value of each Congressional seat.