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Janelle Stelson

Janelle Stelson

Democrat

Former broadcast journalist (WGAL, 30 years)

Non-Incumbent · Public Record
R2B
PIP Political Integrity Pledge · Political Integrity PAC
  • No Corporate PAC Money
  • Stock Trading Ban
  • Lobbying Ban for Former Members
  • Overturn Citizens United

Primary: May 2026 Last updated 2026-04-27

T Transparency
72.8%

Top positive drivers

  • T1 Campaign events with Gov. Shapiro; IBEW union hall; SEIU HQ; Democracy Summer volunteer program; 10K+ Facebook followers. 3.75/4
  • T3 Ban stock trading for members AND family members. Public service is not a side hustle. 3.75/4
  • T4 Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United; 80% small-dollar; $6.5M raised 2024; PAC money only 6.5%. 3.75/4

Top negative drivers

  • T15 No documented positions on AI transparency or technology oversight. 0/4
  • T23 No documented positions on whistleblower protections or IG independence. 0/4
  • T12 References housing costs rising due to tariffs. No specific housing transparency mechanisms. 1/4
View all 25 criteria
  • T1 Campaign events with Gov. Shapiro; IBEW union hall; SEIU HQ; Democracy Summer volunteer program; 10K+ Facebook followers. 3.75/4
  • T2 Supports banning stock trading for members and families; anti-corruption agenda includes disclosure elements. 2.88/4
  • T3 Ban stock trading for members AND family members. Public service is not a side hustle. 3.75/4
  • T4 Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United; 80% small-dollar; $6.5M raised 2024; PAC money only 6.5%. 3.75/4
  • T5 FEC data publicly accessible; 9000+ unique donors; no proactive donor dashboard beyond FEC. 2.88/4
  • T6 Detailed priorities page with 8+ sections; explains WHY on tariffs, healthcare, agriculture. 3.75/4
  • T7 2024 debate on ABC27; 10+ media interviews including Fox43, WITF, CBS, The Hill, Roll Call. 3.75/4
  • T8 EMILYs List, NewDems, NEA, 14+ labor unions, Black Economic Alliance PAC endorsements. 2.88/4
  • T9 Active Facebook 10K+; campaign website news section; press releases; ActBlue email list. 2.88/4
  • T10 30+ year Emmy-winning journalist; professional communicator; every household forced to pay $2,300 due to tariffs. 3.75/4
  • T11 Banning surprise billing; closing ambulance loophole; expanding drug price negotiation beyond 10 drugs. 2.88/4
  • T12 References housing costs rising due to tariffs. No specific housing transparency mechanisms. 1/4
  • T13 Tariffs as hidden tax: tariffs are taxes paid by American families, not China. 2.88/4
  • T14 Criticizes Perry adding $3.3T in new debt; references CBO estimates; opposes unfunded tax cuts. 2.88/4
  • T15 No documented positions on AI transparency or technology oversight. 0/4
  • T16 ICE reform: requires uniforms with visible badges, no masks; independent investigations of ICE killings. 3.50/4
  • T17 Supports securing border with technology; notes one third of cameras out of service. 2.88/4
  • T18 Supports strong public schools and fair funding. Education FUNDING not TRANSPARENCY positions. 1/4
  • T19 Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United; democracy reform as part of anti-corruption agenda. 2.88/4
  • T20 Stock trading ban, lifetime lobbying ban, term limits (6/12 years), age limit 80, Citizens United amendment, prediction market reform. 3.75/4
  • T21 30-year career as broadcast journalist responding to public; 10+ media appearances; debates. 3.75/4
  • T22 No PolitiFact entries; 30-year Emmy-winning journalist career built on credibility; tariff and debt claims verified. 3.75/4
  • T23 No documented positions on whistleblower protections or IG independence. 0/4
  • T24 General transparency stance in anti-corruption agenda. No specific FOIA or open data proposals. 1/4
  • T25 Ran in 2024, came within 1.2%; anti-corruption platform matches personal practice; returned for second campaign. 3.75/4
E Efficiency
71.2%

Top positive drivers

  • E4 Democracy Summer youth program; Mobilize canvass events; SEIU community event with Gov. Shapiro; 50+ volunteers. 3.75/4
  • E6 Raised $6.5M in 2024 (80% small-dollar); $4.4M by Q1 2026; 9000+ donors; lost by 1.2%; DCCC Red to Blue. 3.75/4
  • E7 14+ labor unions; EMILYs List; NewDems; former GOP Reps Comstock and Riggleman endorsements. 3.75/4

Top negative drivers

  • E12 References housing affordability. No specific supply-side mechanisms. 1/4
  • E23 References CBO scores. No specific GAO/IG recommendations cited. 1/4
View all 25 criteria
  • E1 Term limits (measurable); stock ban (measurable); Farm Bill 5-year cycle; drug negotiation targets. 2.88/4
  • E2 Cites CBO on debt ($3.3T); tariff analyses ($2,300/household); PA minimum wage ($7.25) vs neighbors. 2.88/4
  • E3 Criticizes Perry's budget as irresponsible; supports IRA and CHIPS Act as effective legislation. 2.88/4
  • E4 Democracy Summer youth program; Mobilize canvass events; SEIU community event with Gov. Shapiro; 50+ volunteers. 3.75/4
  • E5 Supports securing border with latest technology. No broader government IT modernization positions. 2.25/4
  • E6 Raised $6.5M in 2024 (80% small-dollar); $4.4M by Q1 2026; 9000+ donors; lost by 1.2%; DCCC Red to Blue. 3.75/4
  • E7 14+ labor unions; EMILYs List; NewDems; former GOP Reps Comstock and Riggleman endorsements. 3.75/4
  • E8 Farm Bill 5-year cycle; drug negotiation age/count barriers; border camera failures as obstacles. 2.88/4
  • E9 30-year Emmy-winning journalism career; raised $6.5M; came within 1.2% of unseating 6-term incumbent. 3.75/4
  • E10 Term limits; lifetime lobbying ban; stock trading ban; age limit; Citizens United amendment; prediction market reform. 3.75/4
  • E11 Drug price negotiation expansion; banning surprise billing; closing ambulance loophole; removing age limits. 2.88/4
  • E12 References housing affordability. No specific supply-side mechanisms. 1/4
  • E13 Supports clean energy plan (IRA); pragmatic approach to existing energy sector and worker protections. 2.88/4
  • E14 Supports strengthening immigration system; border technology. No specific USCIS modernization. 2.25/4
  • E15 Educator recruitment/retention; competitive pay; vocational/technical training emphasis. 2.88/4
  • E16 ICE reform proposals (badges, investigations); deportation focused on violent criminals. 2.88/4
  • E17 Raising minimum wage; vocational/technical training; good-paying jobs without college; Farm Bill for young farmers. 3.50/4
  • E18 Criticizes $3.3T new debt; references CBO estimates; opposes tax cuts for billionaires while cutting services. 2.88/4
  • E19 Supports broadband for rural areas; Farm Bill infrastructure; IRA/CHIPS investment. 2.25/4
  • E20 Advocates for more stable foreign policy; opposes blank-check military approach. 2.25/4
  • E21 Supports expanding drug negotiation; border technology. No specific processing targets. 2.25/4
  • E22 Criticizes $3.3T debt; CBO-backed claims; opposes unfunded tax cuts; supports IRA (revenue-positive). 2.88/4
  • E23 References CBO scores. No specific GAO/IG recommendations cited. 1/4
  • E24 Anti-corruption reforms to fix broken Congress; opposes tariffs as failed policy; Farm Bill reform. 2.88/4
  • E25 Supports ICE accountability; general oversight from anti-corruption agenda. 2.25/4
A Affordability
83.5%

Top positive drivers

  • A1 Meets constituents daily; $2,300/household tariff cost; PA minimum wage $7.25 vs neighbors; agricultural input costs. 3.75/4
  • A4 Breaking up chicken processing consolidation (four companies control half); farmers right to repair. 3.75/4
  • A6 Responded to tariff costs; gas price spikes; grocery cost increases; adjusted 2026 platform to center affordability. 3.75/4

Top negative drivers

  • A19 General mentions of gas prices. No specific transit or commuter benefit proposals. 1/4
View all 25 criteria
  • A1 Meets constituents daily; $2,300/household tariff cost; PA minimum wage $7.25 vs neighbors; agricultural input costs. 3.75/4
  • A2 Cites CBO ($3.3T); tariff cost ($2,300); PA minimum wage ($7.25); 20K losing health coverage in district. 2.88/4
  • A3 Campaign focuses on affordability; canvass events; promises SBA loan assistance for small businesses. 2.88/4
  • A4 Breaking up chicken processing consolidation (four companies control half); farmers right to repair. 3.75/4
  • A5 Every household forced to pay $2,300 due to tariffs; drug cost reduction claims; healthcare cost impacts on 20K. 3.50/4
  • A6 Responded to tariff costs; gas price spikes; grocery cost increases; adjusted 2026 platform to center affordability. 3.75/4
  • A7 Opposes tax cuts for billionaires; supports tax breaks for middle class; tariff repeal to lower costs. 2.88/4
  • A8 Chicken processing consolidation; opposes corporate tariff profiteering; calls out rising costs from corporate practices. 3.75/4
  • A9 Consistently frames in household terms: $2,300/household; hardworking middle class; families falling further behind. 3.75/4
  • A10 Affordability is THE central 2026 campaign theme: make Pennsylvania affordable again. 3.75/4
  • A11 Drug price negotiation expansion; remove age limits; ban surprise billing; close ambulance loophole; protect ACA. 3.75/4
  • A12 Supports access to affordable housing; housing for veterans; tariffs raising building material costs. 2.88/4
  • A13 Strong public schools; competitive teacher pay; vocational/technical training to avoid crushing debt. 2.88/4
  • A14 Tax breaks for middle class not billionaires; increase taxation on wealthiest and largest corporations. 2.88/4
  • A15 Surprise billing ban; ambulance loophole; medical debt credit reporting; farmers right to repair. 2.88/4
  • A16 Raise federal minimum wage from $7.25; compares PA to surrounding states; vocational trades; 14+ labor endorsements. 3.50/4
  • A17 Farm Bill to lower input costs; break up chicken monopoly; opposes tariffs on groceries; SNAP protection. 3.75/4
  • A18 Supports clean energy as cost reduction; opposes tariffs raising energy costs; IRA clean energy investments. 2.88/4
  • A19 General mentions of gas prices. No specific transit or commuter benefit proposals. 1/4
  • A20 Coherent strategy connecting tariff repeal + drug negotiation + Farm Bill + surprise billing + wages + housing. 3.75/4
  • A21 No prior voting record. Campaign claims match FEC data; consistent platform across two cycles. 2.88/4
  • A22 Defends ACA, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, SNAP, VA; quantifies 20K losing health coverage. 3.75/4
  • A23 Veterans housing/education; farm families; working families; seniors; rural and urban constituencies. 2.88/4
  • A24 Workers (wages), families (healthcare/housing), seniors (SS/Medicare), veterans, farmers, small businesses, students. 3.75/4
  • A25 14+ labor unions; NEA; EMILYs List; NewDems; Black Economic Alliance PAC. Strong labor endorsements. 3.13/4

Scored from publicly available information. Research in progress.

Platform research is in progress.

Non-Incumbent · Public Record

Scored on publicly available information only — platform statements, prior office, news coverage. Same criteria as the Questionnaire pathway, without direct candidate input.

Scoring Summary

Axis Base Pledge Bonus Final
Transparency 72.8% 72.8%
Efficiency 71.2% 71.2%
Affordability 83.5% 83.5%
Overall TEA Average of the three axes 75.8%

Financial Breakdown

Financial detail — individual giving, PAC contributions, transfers, and personal finances — will appear here when FEC data ingestion ships. This tab is reserved so the layout stays consistent when the feature launches.

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