Tuesday’s primary election came with little drama for the congressional and state House races in Centre County.
The Democratic and Republican ballots each had only one candidate for those positions, meaning there was no late-night waiting to find out who would win the nominations. In fact, the only competitive primary on Centre County ballots — aside from local party, non-governmental positions — was for the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor. (Jason Richey, who was endorsed by GOP gubernatorial nominee Stacy Garrity, defeated John Ventre statewide and in the county.)
The Nov. 3 General Election will be a different story, with contested races for the 15th Congressional District and the three state House seats representing Centre County.
Barring unforeseen circumstances and not including any independent candidates who may file to run, here’s who will be on the ballot. (Unofficial primary vote totals are as of 11:30 p.m. Tuesday with 87 of 87 precincts partially reported in Centre County.)
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES – PA 15TH DISTRICT
The 15th district is the geographically largest in Pennsylvania, includes all of Centre, Armstrong, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union and Warren counties and parts of Indiana, Lycoming and Venango counties.
DEMOCRATIC
Ray Bilger
Primary vote total (all district counties): 34,274
Candidate website: bilgerforcongress.com
Democratic nominee Ray Bilger is a Bellefonte native, U.S Air Force veteran and retired security specialist and intelligence analyst who led teams for the Air Force, National Security Agency and State Department.
He said he is running for Congress because he sees life becoming harder across central Pennsylvania, the American dream more difficult to attain and younger generations leaving the area.
“I am running to represent the people of the 15th District because they are struggling to put food on their tables and face no health care in their communities,” he said in a February campaign announcement. “I grew up in Bellefonte but had to leave the area to find real opportunities. I returned three years ago and found nothing has changed for many residents, especially over the past 16 years.”
Watch Bilger’s C-NET candidate interview with StateCollege.com editor Geoff Rushton below.
REPUBLICAN
Glenn “G.T.” Thompson
Primary vote total (all district counties): 51,205
Candidate website: gtthompson.com
U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson is seeking a 10th term in Congress. A Howard native who first won election to the House in 2008, he spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager and a licensed nursing home administrator.
In announcing his reelection campaign, Thompson who chairs the House Agriculture Committee, cited his work in Congress to support farmers, services for veterans, local economic development initiatives and career and technical education opportunities.
“Despite all the noise, I believe that collaboration, hard work and the right temperament we will continue to do great things for our communities, Pennsylvania and this great country,” he said.
Watch Thompson’s C-NET candidate interview below.
STATE HOUSE – 77TH DISTRICT
The 77th district includes part of State College and all of Philipsburg and Port Matilda boroughs and Ferguson, Halfmoon, Huston, Patton, Rush, Taylor and Worth townships.
DEMOCRATIC
H. Scott Conklin
Primary vote total: 4,655
Candidate website: scottconklinpa.com
State Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, is running for his 11th term. Prior to his first election to the House in 2006, Conklin was a Centre County commissioner for seven years and owned a carpentry business.
Conklin, who currently chairs the House Commerce Committee, said in a reelection campaign announcement that he “will continue fighting for increased education funding, safer infrastructure, voter accessibility and environmental sustainability.”
“At this critical time, experience and seniority are of utmost importance in legislative representation. I have always strived to be a servant leader for working families and all people I’ve represented in my years of public service,” Conklin said. “Our offices, in both State College and Philipsburg, will continue to deliver the excellent service so many in our community have come to rely upon.”
Watch Conklin’s C-NET candidate interview below.
REPUBLICAN
Michelle Schellberg
Primary vote total: 2,501
Candidate website: schellbergforpa.com
Michelle Schellberg, of Halfmoon Township, is the chair of the Centre County Republican Committee, a position for which she won reelection on Tuesday.
On her campaign website, Schellberg cites her key issues as fiscal responsibility, school choice, protecting Second Amendment rights, supporting law enforcement and first responders, promoting smart development and local business growth, advocating for rural infrastructure and agricultural support and “defending the values and freedoms that strengthen our families.”
“I understand the difficulties facing our families, and the dreams we have for our community,” Schellberg wrote. “I will aim to foster a healthy fiscal environment for everyone in our area, protect your constitutional rights and freedoms, and bring Centre County’s voice to Harrisburg.”
Schellberg did not participate in a C-NET candidate interview.
STATE HOUSE – 82ND DISTRICT
The 82nd District includes State College (partial), Howard, Milesburg, Snow Shoe and Unionville boroughs, and Benner, Boggs, Burnside, College, Curtin, Harris, Howard, Liberty, Marion, Snow Shoe and Union townships.
DEMOCRATIC
Paul Takac
Primary vote total: 4,497
Candidate website: paultakac.com
State Rep. Paul Takac, D-College Township, is seeking his third term representing the 82nd district. Prior to his first election in 2022, he was a College Township Council member, chair of the Spring Creek Watershed Commission and worked in educational technology for three decades.
On his campaign website, he pointed to his work to secure $38 million in grants for community and infrastructure projects in the district, funding increases for K-12 education, expanding tax credits for seniors and working families, spearheading legislation to make it easier for veterans to access resources, and creation of the Agricultural Innovation Fund to help farmers adopt new technologies, among other achievements.
“I am focused on real relief for working families, including a living wage and paid family & medical leave,” Takac said in the League of Women Voters of Centre County Voter’s Guide. “I continue to focus on reforming cyber charter school funding to keep more local taxpayer money in local school districts. I continue to support legislation to create local jobs and grow our regional economy.”
Watch Takac’s C-NET candidate interview below.
REPUBLICAN
Kirsten McTernan
Primary vote total: 2,644
Candidate website: None
Republican nominee Kirsten McTernan, of State College, is a homeschooling advocate who previously ran for State College Area School Board in 2025. She has homeschooled her four children and authored a book to help other parents with home education.
McTernan did not issue a campaign announcement, participate in a C-NET candidate interview or respond to the League of Women Voters of Centre County Voter’s Guide questionnaire.
STATE HOUSE – 171ST DISTRICT
The 171st District includes Bellefonte, Centre Hall and Millheim boroughs and Gregg, Haines, Miles, Penn, Potter, Spring and Walker townships in Centre County. In Mifflin County, it encompasses Juniata Terrace, Kistler, Lewistown, Mcveytown and Newton Hamilton boroughs and Armagh, Bratton, Brown, Granville, Menno, Oliver Union and Wayne townships.
DEMOCRATIC
John Zangari
Primary vote total (Centre/Mifflin): 3,356
Candidate website: votezangari.com
Democratic nominee John Zangari is a first-time candidate. He is a resident of Lewistown and an administrative support specialist at Penn State.
Zangari said his core campaign values are “affordability, responsibility with public money and transparent, responsive government.” His platform includes providing targeted tax relief for working and middle-class families, cutting wasteful spending, requiring “plain-language, transparent” state budgets with public justifications for tax breaks, streamlined and user-friendly state services, and regular “help days” to assist district residents with state programs
“I’m running for state representative because too many working families and seniors in our district are one emergency away from financial disaster,” Zangari said in his campaign announcement. “People are doing everything right, but wages haven’t kept up with rising costs for housing, health care, utilities and groceries. Harrisburg should be on their side, not on autopilot for special interests.”
Watch Zangari’s C-NET candidate interview below.
REPUBLICAN
Kerry Benninghoff
Primary vote total (Centre/Mifflin): 5,206
Candidate website: benninghoff171.com
State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Bellefonte, is running for his 16th term. Prior to his first election as state representative in 1996, Benninghoff was elected to two terms as Centre County coroner.
In his reelection campaign announcement, Benninghoff cited his work “fighting to control state spending, opposing broad-based tax increases, investing in students, voting to advance pro-life legislation, fighting for Second Amendment rights, empowering families, and ensuring constituents receive the state services they need and deserve.” Currently the minority chair of the House Transportation Committee, Benninghoff said he is “known for his level-headed, voice of reason approach.”
“The foundation of our form of government requires us to put people first, to truly listen to and respond to the needs of those we represent,” he said. “I have been honored to carry the voice of our unique community to the halls of government in Harrisburg and would be honored to be able to continue to serve my friends, neighbors, and colleagues.”
Watch Benninghoff’s C-NET candidate interview below.
