Stelson denies DHS claim linking her campaign to undocumented worker
Janelle Stelson, the Democrat challenging Republican Rep. Scott Perry in Pennsylvania's 10th District, said her campaign never employed an undocumented immigrant named in a Department of Homeland Security release. DHS said the man was arrested by local police and later taken into ICE custody, while a conservative activist's report linked him to canvassing for Stelson. Stelson's campaign manager also said the individual was not on staff, and fundraising records did not list him as a salaried worker.
Stelson, a former television news anchor, is in a rematch with Rep. Scott Perry. He won their 2024 contest by roughly 5,000 votes. Their Harrisburg-area district backed President Donald Trump by five percentage points, and the race is rated a toss-up.
DHS said Igbojekwe was arrested by local police Sept. 27 and later pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct; ICE took him into custody Oct. 1. Stelson's manager said he was never employed, and her fundraising filings did not list him as paid staff.
The dispute may shape how voters in Pennsylvania’s 10th District view the candidates’ competence and honesty, though its actual electoral effect is uncertain. It could also intensify broader debates over immigration enforcement and federal agencies’ involvement in local races, affecting immigrant communities, campaign workers, and activists. Because the claim is contested and no employment link has been confirmed in the material, voters may weigh it alongside other issues such as Social Security and the economy.