Perry and Stelson Tied When Perry Was Appointed to a Key House Committee

An independent poll conducted during former President Donald Trump’s trial in New York – which resulted in the former president’s conviction on 34 criminal charges – shows that Democratic candidate Janelle Stelson is in a virtual tie with current Republican US Representative Scott Perry , who supported Trump’s decision. efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.

With the general election five months away, Perry leads Stelson 45% to 44%, with 11% undecided, according to a poll conducted by Franklin & Marshall College. The survey, which represents responses from 397 registered voters in the 10^th Congressional District, has a 6.1 percent error rate, according to its methodology.

A deeper look at the poll reveals some concerns for Perry, first elected in 2012 and one of the most conservative members of the House of Representatives, serving as former chairman of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus.

Before Trump’s conviction, 49% of voters surveyed favored Perry. After the former president was convicted, according to the survey, this number dropped to 39%. Meanwhile, Stelson’s poll numbers jumped from 42% to 47%.

The poll revealed that voters surveyed favored Perry, responding that 39 had a favorable opinion of the congressman, compared to 33 percent who had a favorable opinion of Stelson.

Still, according to the poll, 41 percent of voters surveyed reported being somewhat or strongly unfavorable to the six-term congressman.

The poll was released as Stelson, a veteran WGAL-TV anchor and former Republican, emphasized Perry’s loyalty to Trump as an indicator that he is undemocratic and favors the nation’s authoritarian rule.

The release of the research comes on the heels of Perry’s appointment, along with ultraconservative U.S. Rep. Ronny Johnson, to the House Intelligence Committee, a move that critics claimed happened because Trump ordered House Speaker Mike Johnson to did it.

Perry, in a statement, said: “I look forward to providing not only a fresh perspective, but also conducting real oversight – not blind obedience to some facets of our Intel community who too often abuse their powers, resources and authority to spy. the American people,”

However, his appointment drew bipartisan criticism which pointed out that Perry was ordered by a federal judge to turn over more than 1,600 text messages and emails that provided evidence of his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and keep Trump in power. He has also spread several unfounded conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

Previously: Unsealed court ruling sheds light on Scott Perry’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election

More about the race: Janelle Stelson will face Rep. Scott Perry in 10th Congressional District race

The committee oversees the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which is currently in court to gain access to Perry’s cellphone records in connection with his efforts to help Trump remain in office regardless of the election results. Committee chairman Mike Johnson, a Republican from Ohio, was apparently “blindsided” by Perry’s appointment to the committee, according to Punchbowl News. On MSNBC, California Democrat Eric Swalwell equated putting Perry and Johnson on the committee to “putting Bonnie and Clyde in charge of bank security.”

Stelson responded on X, writing: “Even Scott Perry’s Republican colleagues didn’t want him on the House Intelligence Committee, but here we are. The man whose phone was seized by the FBI is now…supervising the FBI.”

Columnist/reporter Mike Argento has worked at the York Daily Record since 1982. Contact him at mike@ydrcom.

This article originally appeared in the York Daily Record: Poll: Scott Perry and Janelle Stelson in Tie in 10th District Race