As the days dwindle to a few in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District contest between incumbent Rep. Scott Perry and Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson, the mud is flying around the Capitol Region.
Last week, Perry claimed that 10 “forged” mail ballots were returned to the Dauphin County Board of Elections.
That was not true, as 10 applications for mail ballots were turned in to the county with repeated signatures. They were rejected and referred to the county district attorney for investigation.
Earlier this week, the Perry campaign released an ad that misleadingly accuses his opponent of public nudity, presented without evidence.
A quick look at the ad could lead one to believe that an actual legal document is seen.
Also, not true.
In the last 10 seconds of the 30-second ad, a document is placed on the screen with, “AFFIDAVIT” written at the top, presenting it as if it were a legitimate legal filing. Affidavits are issued under oath, not just stamped from a public notary as was the case here.
The Perry ad features a claim that the police were called to investigate Stelson for exposing herself. The ad zooms in and highlights sections of the statement out of context, while the voiceover says, “Police have been called to investigate Stelson for exposing herself totally naked to a neighborhood child.”
The allegation was made by Stelson’s neighbor – Sharon Orr – whose statement says she lives with her grandchild who is a minor. It should be noted that Orr has Perry signs in her driveway and on her front porch facing Stelson’s home.
Her statement in the ad says Orr called the East Pennsboro Township police on August 14, alleging that Stelson was “walking around outdoors, naked in the public sphere, with her breasts and buttocks fully exposed.” The ad highlighted the words, “naked in the public sphere,” “buttocks fully exposed,” and “plain sight of my minor.” The statement does not say where the allegations occurred.
The statement was notarized by Cindy Gleim-Pool, vice president-controller at John W. Gleim, Jr., Inc., Excavating. in Carlisle. According to WGAL-TV, her sister is Rep. Barb Gleim (R-199) who represents the 199th Legislative District in Cumberland County. Before she was elected to the Pennsylvania State House in 2018, Gleim was director of operations and then director of business development at John W. Gleim Jr. Inc. Excavating.
Gleim recently circulated a petition for Perry that included the signature of Cindy Gleim-Pool.
No charges were filed by the East Pennsboro Township police.
“This false accusation is a pathetic, desperate attempt by Scott Perry to rescue his failing campaign, with easily disproven lies,” said Stelson campaign manager Alma Baker. “Janelle Stelson was proud to be the lead anchor on the area’s highest-rated news station for years. Unfortunately, as a woman on television, Janelle has been a victim of stalking and harassment before. Now she is a victim of Perry’s supporters making up totally unsubstantiated claims to smear her reputation. We knew that Scott Perry would do anything to hold onto political power, including his role to overturn the 2020 election and negate all our votes, but now we’ve seen a new low. We are confident Central Pennsylvania voters will recognize these lies for what they are: a political hit piece by a desperate career politician.”
Baker said Stelson and the campaign have not ruled out legal action.
“We are considering every potential legal avenue to fight these lies,” she said in a statement. “Janelle is strongly considering a potential defamation lawsuit given the seriousness of these obviously false and personal smears.”
Perry and Gleim both played roles in the aftermath of the 2020 election. Perry voted against the certification of Pennsylvania’s electoral votes, while Gleim was one of many state lawmakers who signed letters to Congress opposing Jan. 6 electoral vote certification.
