Oct 17, 2026 · 45 min · 17 segments
We’ll celebrate the latest release from international bestselling author Jeff Kinney, creator of the *Diary of a Wimpy Kid* series. Kinney’s 21st book, *Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Fight or Flight*, is the…
Jordan Wilkie
Jeff KinneyGuest
Asia TabbHostHailey O'BrienKatie Knol
This race is a rematch between Stelson, who lost to Perry in 2024 by 1.3% of the vote, and Perry, who's represented the area since 2012.
But now the national political winds are blowing in Democrats' favor, especially in Pennsylvania.
President Donald Trump has historically low approval ratings this early in a president's second term, and people across political parties are displeased with inflation and costs, with blame largely falling on the Republican Party.
In last night's debate, Stelson and Perry started the debate with their sharp elbows swinging around in the paint.
Perry, I think he really tried to separate himself from Stelson with his experience in Congress.
You mentioned he's been in that role for more than a decade at this point, and he was really trying to frame his past policy support in a positive light, which Stelson was really trying to dig in and discredit.
And Stelson did not wilt away from, from a fight or an aggressive debate.
Stelson was definitely prepared to talk about Perry's voting record, and she talked about how his policies are harmful for people in this district.
She also talked a lot about affordability and really wanting to bring in policies that, um, turn things around for people.
Yeah, and you know, this race fits into obviously a larger political scene.
This is a congressional race, so there's, you know, Democratic and Republican fights all across the country, but how does this fit into what we're seeing across Pennsylvania?
It covers all of Dauphin County and parts of York and Cumberland Counties.
This is one of a handful of races in very purple Pennsylvania that could help flip control of Congress.
Um, we're also watching the 7th Congressional District in the Lehigh Valley, the 8th Congressional District in Northeast Pennsylvania, both Republicans there that, um, are being challenged by Democrats, and it looks like it's gonna be, um, pretty close.
And like we mentioned earlier, this was a toss-up race in 2024, just a handful of voters.
What do we know about this race going in from polling that we've had in the last couple months?
Yeah, so I covered the Franklin & Marshall poll that came out, and that one said that Stelson probably had a pretty small lead, but it still was going to be a really close race.
Um, it said that the economy is absolutely the number one issue, and that people were not happy with how the Trump administration has handled it, which tends not to bode well for the candidates who are part of that party that the president holds.
This race is a rematch between Stelson, who lost to Perry in 2024 by 1.3% of the vote, and Perry, who's represented the area since 2012.
But now the national political winds are blowing in Democrats' favor, especially in Pennsylvania.
President Donald Trump has historically low approval ratings this early in a president's second term, and people across political parties are displeased with inflation and costs, with blame largely falling on the Republican Party.
In last night's debate, Stelson and Perry started the debate with their sharp elbows swinging around in the paint.
Perry, I think he really tried to separate himself from Stelson with his experience in Congress.
You mentioned he's been in that role for more than a decade at this point, and he was really trying to frame his past policy support in a positive light, which Stelson was really trying to dig in and discredit.
And Stelson did not wilt away from, from a fight or an aggressive debate.
Stelson was definitely prepared to talk about Perry's voting record, and she talked about how his policies are harmful for people in this district.
She also talked a lot about affordability and really wanting to bring in policies that, um, turn things around for people.
Yeah, and you know, this race fits into obviously a larger political scene.
This is a congressional race, so there's, you know, Democratic and Republican fights all across the country, but how does this fit into what we're seeing across Pennsylvania?
It covers all of Dauphin County and parts of York and Cumberland Counties.
This is one of a handful of races in very purple Pennsylvania that could help flip control of Congress.
Um, we're also watching the 7th Congressional District in the Lehigh Valley, the 8th Congressional District in Northeast Pennsylvania, both Republicans there that, um, are being challenged by Democrats, and it looks like it's gonna be, um, pretty close.
And like we mentioned earlier, this was a toss-up race in 2024, just a handful of voters.
What do we know about this race going in from polling that we've had in the last couple months?
Yeah, so I covered the Franklin & Marshall poll that came out, and that one said that Stelson probably had a pretty small lead, but it still was going to be a really close race.
Um, it said that the economy is absolutely the number one issue, and that people were not happy with how the Trump administration has handled it, which tends not to bode well for the candidates who are part of that party that the president holds.
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