Republicans Hide from Voters Amid Rising Discontent Against Trump

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. (AP) — For the past two weeks, no one has answered the phone at any of U.S. Rep. Scott Perry‘s four offices. Perry’s team has withheld information about the Republican congressman’s public appearances until after they occurred. Even supporters in Perry’s central Pennsylvania district cannot recall the last time he held an in-person town hall.

Last week, when an Associated Press reporter rang the bell at his district office in Mechanicsburg, no one opened the locked door. A voice from the intercom said, ‘I don’t have any public appearance information that I can provide.’

As the U.S. House concludes a 17-day recess, known as a district work period, many vulnerable Republicans are reducing their public exposure. This tactic aligns with guidance from GOP leaders in Washington, who argue that avoiding viral moments that elicit backlash is beneficial.

Perry, who won reelection by about 5,000 votes, is among the 10 most vulnerable House Republicans, facing backlash amid his absence during the recess.

Voter Robert Barton, a 57-year-old civil engineer, expressed frustration while waiting for lunch nearby. ‘They’re publicly elected officials. They ought to be accessible to the public,’ he said.

Doug Heye, a veteran GOP strategist, suggested that controlled interactions can be more effective than chaotic town halls. ‘And that’s smart for any politician,’ he noted.

The National Republican Congressional Committee encourages members to meet constituents publicly but is cautious about potential events that may distract from their messaging. Spokesman Mike Marinella affirmed, ‘We tell everyone, go out and meet people.’

House Speaker Mike Johnson remarked that some attendees may be ‘professional protesters’ and recommended tele-town hall meetings instead. This practice echoes tactics employed by Democrats during protests over the Affordable Care Act introduction in 2010, where many opted to skip town halls to avoid confrontation.

In 2018, with House Republicans under pressure, similar protests led to a reduction of public events. Both parties experienced losses in their respective midterm elections, raising concerns on the current GOP’s strategy.

Institute groups have initiated events like “People’s Town Halls” in districts to bolster Democratic presence ahead of the 2026 elections. Democrats hope to exploit perceived disengagement from Republicans in competitive districts.

Marianne Miller-Meeks from Iowa, who won her election by just 799 votes, has similarly held no public events during the break and opted for smaller gatherings instead. Most of her constituents are only learning about her appearances through her social media channels after they occur.

In Perry’s district, Democrats are positioning themselves to challenge him as he has notably avoided accessible events. His opponent, Janelle Stelson, a former journalist, plans to run against him again this year. ‘It’s about what the people care about,’ Stelson said.

Mechanicsburg resident Tim Shollenberger shared his disappointment after submitting three questions during Perry’s tele-town hall—none of which were addressed. ‘If you really care about the views of your constituents, get in a room and face them,’ he said.