Stelson announces second bid for Harrisburg-area congressional seat

Janelle Stelson

A Democrat who narrowly lost a race for a Harrisburg-area congressional seat last year will make another bid for the office.

Janelle Stelson announced today that she plans to run again to represent the 10th congressional district. Last year, Stelson won the Democratic nomination in a crowded field but lost in the general election to the long-time Republican incumbent, Rep. Scott Perry.

“It is time we had a representative in Congress who actually listens to us and fights for us,” Stelson said, in a statement.

Her campaign announcement criticized Perry for his vote in favor of the recent budget bill that will slash federal Medicaid spending.

“I’m running to give central Pennsylvanians the voice they deserve and to fight to lower costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, ensure a woman’s right to choose and secure the border,” she said.

The district comprises all of Dauphin and parts of Cumberland and York counties. The district leans Republican, but Stelson, a first-time political candidate, lost in a tight race, by a 50.5% to 49.3% margin, in 2024.

Stelson may have competition in next year’s Democratic primary. Recently, first-term Dauphin County Commission chair Justin Douglas announced that he was forming an exploratory committee for a possible run for the seat.

Stelson, a former, long-time TV news anchor in central PA, won the Democratic primary handily in 2024, besting a six-candidate field before her narrow general election loss.

This time, Stelson seems to have the support of much of the area’s Democratic political establishment. She plans to kick off her campaign on Wednesday in an event expected to be attended by Gov. Josh Shapiro and many elected officials from the Harrisburg area, according to Stelson’s campaign.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

Dave & Ashley Niedbalski of Grand Rising Curations and Midstate Shows, which will host the Dauphin County Live Concert Series.

We hope our news coverage this week, and every week, has kept you informed on what’s happening in your community. In case you missed any of it, we’ve rounded up all of our stories, below.

City Council approved a zoning change for the former Polyclinic Hospital property in Harrisburg, as a developer seeks to renovate it, our reporting found. Pennmark Harrisburg Holdings has proposed turning the large building into apartments and commercial space.

Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas announced that he will consider running for representative of Pennsylvania’s 10th congressional district in 2026, our online story reported. He said that he will launch an exploratory committee to meet with community leaders and determine the resources needed for a potential race.

The Dauphin County Live Concert Series begins this month, presenting three shows in Riverfront Park, our magazine story reported. Organizer Midstate Shows has revived the concerts, previously hosted by HU Presents, that have brought music to the riverfront the past few summers.

Home sales in the Harrisburg area increased last month, along with prices, according to recent data. To find specific data for Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry counties, click here.

Humane Society of Harrisburg Area is making reforms and seeing the number of adoptions rise after a tumultuous few years. Read more in our magazine story.

The outdoors are calling you and your family. Our columnist takes you from parks to playgrounds and volunteer opportunities that are perfect for the kids this summer.

PennDOT announced that it reopened the pedestrian underpass that goes under Cameron Street near the Farm Show Complex, our online story reported. The underpass had been closed since February due to concrete deterioration.

Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association Foundation shared this week that TheBurg was named “2025 News Organization of the Year,” our story reported.

Sara Bozich has your weekend itinerary covered with her roundup of events, here.

Tower Jewelers opened in the Shops on 3rd at Strawberry Square recently, our online story reported. The storefront offers high-end gold and gemstone jewelry.

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Number of home sales, prices both up in June in Harrisburg area, says report

A house for sale in Harrisburg

Harrisburg-area home sales and prices both gained last month, according to the latest report on previously owned houses.

For the three-county region, 634 homes sold in June compared to 593 sales in June 2024, as the median sales price rose to $303,700 from $290,000, said the monthly report from the Greater Harrisburg Association of Realtors (GHAR).

In Dauphin County, 298 homes sold versus 291 in the year-ago period, while the median sales price dipped to $275,000 from $280,000 a year ago, GHAR said.

Cumberland County had 290 home sales in June against 264 last year, as the median sales price grew to $338,000 from $320,000, GHAR stated.

In Perry County, 36 homes sold, a drop of two sales, while the median sales price rose to $278,500 from $230,000 the prior June, according to GHAR.

The pace of sales slowed slightly, as “average days on market” increased to 22 days last month versus 20 days in June 2024, GHAR said.

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State press association names TheBurg “2025 News Organization of the Year”

TheBurg has been named “2025 News Organization of the Year,” a statewide honor presented by the state press association.

On Thursday, the Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association (PNA) Foundation announced the award, which recognizes news organizations “for overall excellence across all departments,” according to the foundation.

“This is an incredible honor,” said Lawrance Binda, publisher and editor of TheBurg. “We work hard every day to make TheBurg a high-quality news product for the Harrisburg area. This award affirms the dedication and talent of our amazing team.”

TheBurg won News Organization of the Year in the “weekly” category. This is the fifth straight year that TheBurg has won this statewide honor. Chestnut Hill Local placed second for the award.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette won News Organization of the Year in the “multi-day” publication category, with PennLive/The Patriot News taking second place.

Overall, more than 120 news organizations across Pennsylvania competed for the honor, according to the PNA Foundation.

“It’s remarkable to receive this recognition in Pennsylvania, which has so many high-quality newspapers and news organizations,” Binda said.

The award is comprehensive, recognizing excellence in all aspects of a news organization’s operations, including for editorial, art, design and sales, according to the PNA Foundation.

“News organizations are judged not only on their journalism and writing, reporting, photography, video, digital products and design, but also on their sales strategies, innovation, community impact and their relevance, integrity and initiative in serving readers and audiences,” the foundation stated, in a news release.

TheBurg began publishing in 2009 as a monthly community magazine for the greater Harrisburg area and since has expanded into daily news reporting. It also sponsors and supports many events in the area, including 3rd in the Burg, the monthly cultural and nightlife event in Harrisburg.

Over the past dozen years, TheBurg has received nearly 200 individual and group press awards for reporting, writing, opinion, art, design, photography and advertising. This year alone, TheBurg won 26 Keystone press awards across many categories, as well as another 22 awards in PNA’s annual advertising contest.

TheBurg also received the 2018 Catalyst Award from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and CREDC and the 2022 Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region from Theatre Harrisburg.

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New jewelry store debuts in Harrisburg in Strawberry Square storefront

A display at Tower Jewelers

A new jewelry retailer has opened a storefront in downtown Harrisburg.

Recently, Tower Jewelers debuted in the Shops on 3rd at Strawberry Square, near the 3rd Street entrance to the large office, retail and residential complex, according to owner Harristown Enterprises.

“We are thrilled to bring another small business into downtown,” said Brad Jones, Harristown’s president and CEO. “We welcome them to the 3rd Street corridor.”

Tower Jewelers is located at 7 N. 3rd St., where they offer a variety of high-end gold and gemstone jewelry. The company has several other locations in Pennsylvania and will be open seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to Harristown.

For more information, visit their Facebook page.

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Weekend Roundup with Sara Bozich

 

Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA!

 

What you’ll find ⤵️

For something new: A bourbon and cigar dinner at Grateful Goat; Forest Bathing- Nature Based Mindfulness Walks at Wildwood Park Worth noting: Shipoke Flea on Saturday; lots of outdoor movies; 16th Annual Blues & Brews at Mount Hope Things on my agenda this weekend: Girls night Friday to Theatre Harrisburg’s Catharsis (pizza & wine before, of course); Taking the kiddo to see Jumanji outside at Midtown Cinema Saturday; otherwise r+r following an extra-hectic week

For your weekend planning

A Look Ahead

  1. July 18: Strawberry Square Music Series fting Barkley Cove
  2. July 18: 3rd in the Burg Jazz Jam Session at Pursuit
  3. July 31: July SoMa Block Party
  4. What’s New (and What You Already Love) About the 2025 Dauphin County Live Concert Series
  5. Full SoMa Block Party calendar!
  6. Join me for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Nov. 1!
  7. Are you on my email list? 
  8. Submit your events for the Weekend Roundup

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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Where To Find Lobbying Services in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s policy landscape is vast, fast-paced and filled with opportunities. Whether you are a business leader, part of a nonprofit organization or a resident trying to comprehend these complex processes, you may be looking for lobbying services in Pennsylvania.

These companies represent five of the best lobbying firms with a reputation for assisting their clients on a seamless, easy-to-navigate journey through government processes. Each firm’s profile gives you clarification on the company, its clients, achievements, offerings and employees so that you can make a sound decision on who will help your organization take the next step.

1. Greenlee Partners, LLC

Since its founding in 1985 by Bill Greenlee and Stan Rapp, Greenlee Partners, LLC has become one of Pennsylvania’s leading entities.

 It began as a simple firm run. Greenlee and Rapp founded the company due to their antipathy toward the lobbying and government relations model in Harrisburg. As the company progressed, the founders employed Matt Steck, who later became a partner. The firm’s size grew significantly through word of mouth, and the 1994 elections placed friends of the firm in office.

Today, Greenlee Partners is an established lobbying services firm with a proven success record. The company believes in offering an honest, customer-centric approach and maintaining genuine relationships. The firm provides a full range of services, including direct lobbying, procurement, assistance, grant identification, planning for engagement, political action committee consulting, and legislative monitoring and tracking.

The company approaches every situation by ethically guiding its clients through the Pennsylvania government. When you join Greenlee Partners, the team will advocate for a successful outcome on your behalf because they believe that your success is their success. They are an extension of your organization and brand.

A point of pride for the company is that it is a bipartisan lobbying firm — half of the team is part of the Republican Party, and the other half is part of the Democratic Party, making their services flexible for a variety of clients and causes.

Key industries: The company’s focus is on Highly Autonomous Vehicle Legislation, health care, telecommunications, education and insurance, among other topics.

Notable clients: Some of the firm’s most well-known clients are Capital Blue Cross, Prime Therapeutics, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, PSCSW, Avenue of the Arts, Inc., PA Library Association, National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors, PA, and Recycled Materials Association.

Key employees: Matt Steck and Clint Cullison are senior partners. Matt joined the team in 1990 and ensures that Greenlee Partners continues the rich legacy and principles instilled by its founders. Matt encourages his team to think strategically. Clint joined the company over 20 years ago with no political experience, but the team invested in him, and he took the initiative to invest in himself. Today, Clint advocates for strategic planning in the team, ensuring that the firm provides the best services to its clients.

Matt and Clint are supported by principals Benjamin Dannels, Matt Rucci and Becca Zelner. They are further supported by business manager Melissa Youtz, office administrator Aria Kaskie and associate Madison Laughman. Together, the team is known as a premier provider of advocacy and lobbying services thanks to their exceptional client engagement.

Company news: In 2022, Greenlee Partners represented an autonomous vehicle company during the passing of Act 130. This is Pennsylvania’s comprehensive driverless vehicle legislation. Because Pittsburgh is home to several leaders in the autonomous vehicle industry, this act plays a crucial part in reinforcing the state as a thought leader in this evolving technology.

Biggest achievement: Greenlee Partners has a long-standing relationship with Capital Blue Cross. During the pandemic, the firm helped Capital Blue Cross secure a $1 million grant through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Greenlee Partners is known for its continuous support of its clients.

2. McNees Government Relations

McNees Government Relations is a regional full-service government affairs and grassroots advocacy firm. The company’s clients range from Pennsylvania to Maryland, Ohio and beyond. The firm’s parent company — McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC — was established with the goal of anticipating clients’ problems and addressing their needs. McNees Government Relations strives to uphold the same values.

McNees Government Relations was launched in 2024. The entity comprises Community Networking Resources, Mid-Atlantic Strategic Solutions, McNees Strategic Solutions Group, The Winter Group and Capital Associates. The bipartisan team offers government relations services to clients in grassroots advocacy, coalition development, business and real estate development, government funding, state and local government relations, community relations, public policy, and public affairs.

Key industries: The company specializes in lobbying, public policies and affairs, energy, manufacturing, business, and real estate.

Notable clients: While the firm does not list its clients online, it emphasizes its dedication to serving all of its clients’ needs.

Key employees: The team consists of advocacy, government relations and consulting specialists.

Company news: Bill Thomas — a government relations professional with McNees Strategic Solutions Group and a board member of the Pennsylvania Esports Coalition — served as a panelist on the biggest trends in esports and virtual gaming. This type of involvement ensures the company remains up to date with the latest trends.

Biggest achievement: The  McNees Strategic Solutions Group was named the 11th top lobbying firm in Pennsylvania.

3. Malady & Wooten

Malady & Wooten aims to simplify the complexities between the government and your business to help you reach your goals. Built on trust and honesty, the firm plays the facilitator between business leaders and government decision-makers, ensuring a fair agreement by helping clients through complex government processes while building and maintaining relationships.

Malady & Wooten is well-known in Pennsylvania for successful direct lobbying. Direct lobbying is the process of face-to-face negotiations between legislators and public officials that impact your business. The firm understands its clients’ needs and tailors a plan that best suits their business. Leveraging its advocacy skills and connections, the firm looks for the most suitable legislator or public official to speak to about your case. Malady & Wooten’s approach involves issue forecasting, legislator education, solution development, ongoing advocacy and performance reporting.

Key industries: With over 25 years of experience, Malady & Wooten serves clients throughout the U.S., but its expertise is in PA public affairs, government relations and direct lobbying.

Notable clients: The firm appreciates all of its clients, but the most notable are Vistra Energy, Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Association, Oceans Healthcare, Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and Consumer Safety Technology.

Key employees: The Pennsylvanian firm was founded by John F. Malady, who believes in having a deep understanding of the legislative process to assist clients and advocate on their behalf. Malady and his two business partners — Dennis A. Giorno and PJ Lavelle — are assisted by nine members who are experts in building and fostering relationships.

Company news: Malady & Wooten was recently recognized as a leading government relations firm in Pennsylvania. The team bases its approach on four strategies — building deep-rooted relationships, providing in-depth knowledge, hiring staff who are skilled in the industry, and creating a strategic approach to benefit the client’s company.

Biggest achievement: With a combined expertise of over 150 years in the lobbying services industry, the Malady & Wooten team maintains long-standing relationships with its clients and focuses on staying relevant in the industry.

4. Wojdak Government Relations

Wojdak Government Relations was founded by the late Stephen R. Wojdak. He founded the company on three principles — integrity, credibility and trust. Using these approaches, the company’s founder served the firm’s first clients and shared his knowledge with members of the company. Wojdak has been in the industry for over 40 years and strives to offer the best solutions to its clients.

Wojdak is a reputable company that values client relationships. The firm comprises a dedicated team of bipartisan lobbyists who have worked at various levels of state and city government. The firm’s team represents the political makeup of the General Assembly by employing Republican and Democratic lobbyists. Wojdak focuses on a broad spectrum of issues, including gaming, tax and fiscal policy, education, law enforcement issues, transportation, and infrastructure.

Key industries: The firm serves the health care and economic sectors.

Notable clients: The firm has worked with Fortune 500 companies, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, cultural institutions, and statewide organizations.

Key employees: The firm’s team comprises partner and president Steven Crawford, managing partner Thomas Flynn, and other presidents, vice presidents, senior advisors, associates and consultants. 

Company news: Communication is pivotal to Wojdak. The company works with an affiliated public relations firm called Bellevue Communications. The partnership ensures that communication paves the way for the best possible outcome.

Biggest achievement: Wojdak has received various lobbying assignments from diverse clients. It has taken the task in stride by becoming stronger than ever in lobbying.

5. Pursuit Advocacy

Pursuit Advocacy focuses on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The firm’s team provides clients with in-depth knowledge of government processes so they do not have to worry about understanding the intricacies of the Pennsylvanian government. Pursuit Advocacy believes that laws, policies, procurements, and legislation can help free businesses from any challenges negatively affecting them. The firm aims to work through preparation, strategic planning and thoughtful action to ensure you meet your business’s goals.

Pursuit Advocacy is a woman-owned government affairs business. The firm is renowned for successfully implementing plans using its expertise and in-depth knowledge of the industry and relationships with key decision-makers. The firm’s goal is to help clients understand how to reach their organization’s goals while adhering to the Pennsylvania government’s processes. The firm uses its skills, experience and vision to attain client satisfaction in a strategic and impactful manner.

Key industries: Based on its clientele, the firm supports various sectors, including health care, energy and the environment, economic development and infrastructure, education, transportation, technology, and nonprofits.

Notable clients: The firm has worked with Fortune 500 companies, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, cultural institutions, and statewide organizations.

Key employees: Laura Jan Kuller is the company’s founder and principal, and she is assisted by government affairs professional Lauren Mishoe, client services expert Tracy Evens, and administrator and bookkeeper Debbie Perry. Together, the four run a tight ship, providing services to meet clients’ needs.

Company news: The firm contributes to the education of future generations. It recently assisted an educational institution that needed funding to reduce increasing tuition fees. Pursuit Advocacy successfully ensured the institution received state funding.

Biggest achievement: Pursuit Advocacy was one of the lobbying firms that supported the General Assembly and the governor in enacting long-awaited legislation to lower the Corporate Net Income Tax.

Understanding Business Offerings

Here is an overview of each firm’s most noteworthy offerings and how they can help your organization achieve its goals.

Lobbying firm What it offers
Greenlee Partners, LLC
  • Direct lobbying, procurement, assistance, grant identification, planning for engagement, political action committee consulting, and legislative monitoring and tracking
  • A strong bipartisan lobbying team that uses a customer-centric approach to ensure you will be assisted through every step of the process
McNees Government Relations
  • Support for grassroots advocacy and coalition development, and business and real estate development
  • Government funding, state and local government relations, community relations, public policy, and public affairs services
Malady & Wooten
  • Direct lobbying to ensure you receive the outcome that benefits your business
  • Issue forecasting, legislator education, solution development, ongoing advocacy and performance reporting
Wojdak Government Relations
  • A focus on the health care and economic sectors
  • Insight into a broad spectrum of gaming, tax and fiscal policy, education, law enforcement, and transportation and infrastructure issues
Pursuit Advocacy
  • A woman-owned and woman-led team that focuses on life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
  • Expert support in helping clients navigate and understand how to reach their organization’s goals while adhering to the Pennsylvania government’s processes

Find Lobbying Services in Pennsylvania

From powerhouse firms like Greenlee Partners, LLC to trusted advisors like Pursuit Advocacy, these companies are important in shaping public policies with their clients’ best interests in mind. The success of each firm lies in mastering your needs and the government’s processes, balancing the two to provide an impactful solution.

This article is sponsored content.

Greenlee Partners, LLC is a Community Publisher of TheBurg

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City Council approves zoning change to former hospital site, now proposed for apartments

The former Polyclinic Hospital and proposed site of an adaptive reuse project.

A project to turn a former Harrisburg medical facility into apartments has taken a step forward.

City Council on Tuesday approved a zoning change and subdivision for the former Polyclinic Hospital at 2601 N. 3rd St. in Uptown Harrisburg, which a developer has proposed renovating.

In March 2024, Pennmark Harrisburg Holdings, an affiliate of Montgomery County-based Pennmark Management Company, purchased the property and later proposed making it into market-rate apartments with commercial space. As part of the estimated $45 million project, Pennmark would construct 250 to 300 apartment units, along with retail shops.

Council’s approval changed the property’s current Institutional zoning to Commercial Neighborhood zoning and split the land into four separate parcels to aid in development.

Council members shared concerns over the lack of affordable units for lower-income residents and expressed a desire to see the developer work to accommodate existing neighbors.

One resident who lives near the project site shared her concerns for the potential of increased traffic and parking challenges in the neighborhood.

Pennmark’s project will still require approval for its land development plan.

Also on Tuesday, council voted to appropriate about $2 million into the budget, sourced from various city fund balances, to pay money that it owes as a result of recent litigation. A Dauphin County jury decided last month that Harrisburg underpaid the owner of the former Brenner Motors car dealership when the city took the property via eminent domain several years ago.

In other news, council voted to appoint Basir Vincent, who recently ran unsuccessfully for a council seat, to the Harrisburg Planning Commission.

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Cameron Street underpass reopens following rehab work

An entrance to the underpass on Cameron Street

The pedestrian underpass near the state Farm Show Complex has been reopened following extensive repair work.

On Tuesday, PennDOT announced it had reopened the underpass, which goes under Cameron Street. The underpass had been closed since February due to concrete deterioration on the ceiling of the walkway.

The work was performed as part of an already planned pavement preservation project that PennDOT is performing on Cameron Street. The total $8.3 million project, which includes making repairs and upgrades to the road, intersections, traffic signals, drainage and other areas, is expected to be completed by September 2026.

This project consists of concrete patching, diamond grinding, milling, asphalt overlay, traffic signal and intersection improvements, minor drainage repairs and other construction on Cameron Street from Paxton Street to Elmerton Avenue/Wildwood Park Drive, and on Arsenal Boulevard from Maclay Street to 15th Street.

In addition to the pedestrian underpass, the left turn lane from westbound Cameron Street into the Farm Show Complex at Farm Show Drive is also open, PennDOT said. This turn lane was closed in February because it was located directly above an area of deteriorated concrete inside the tunnel.

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Dauphin County official considers bid for U.S. Congress

Justin Douglas at a press conference in March 2025.

A county official has shared his interest in running for higher office.

Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas announced on Monday that he would launch an exploratory committee as he weighs a bid for representative of Pennsylvania’s 10th congressional district in 2026.

Douglas has served as a county commissioner since January 2024, after a historic election that brought the county its first Democrat-controlled board in over a century. Since then, he has led efforts to expose “corruption” and “wasteful spending,” his press release said.

His exploratory committee will now “test the waters” for a potential race for Congress. If nominated by the Democratic Party, Douglas would face long-time incumbent Scott Perry, a Republican, assuming Perry runs for re-election.

“From day one as commissioner, I’ve made it my mission to fight fraud, waste, abuse, and corruption, no matter where it hides or who it implicates,” Douglas said. “That fight belongs in Washington too, where public trust has been eroded for far too long. I’m exploring this campaign because our communities deserve leaders who answer to the people, not to special interests.”

According to the release, Douglas will meet with community leaders and residents and determine what resources would be needed for a run for the office.

“Folks in PA-10 are ready for a leader who puts the people ahead of party politics,” Douglas said. “They want someone who will uphold the Constitution, fight for their families, and bring integrity back to public office. Scott Perry has lost the trust of this district, and regardless of the outcome of this Exploratory Committee, one thing is certain, it’s time for him to go.”

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