U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard, is running for reelection in Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District, he announced on Thursday.
The Centre County native who first won election to the House in 2008 will be seeking his 10th term.
“Serving you in the House of Representatives has been the honor of a lifetime and every challenge along the way has been met with great optimism,” Thompson said in his reelection campaign statement. “I am encouraged by my faith, family, friends and the supporters who have helped make such a difference.”
The sprawling 15th district is the geographically larges in Pennsylvania and includes the north-central counties of Centre, Armstrong, Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union and Warren and parts of Indiana, Lycoming and Venango.
In a video statement, Thompson noted his work as the first chairman of House Committee on Agriculture from Pennsylvania in more than 150 years.
“We have come a long way in advocating for the commonwealth’s No. 1 industry by supporting family farms and the men and women who work hard to put food on our tables every day,” Thompson said.
In 2025, Thompson saw his long-running effort to restore whole and 2% milk as options in schools come to fruition with the passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, amending regulations to the National School Lunch Program that limited schools to serving 1% and fat-free milk.
Thompson also cited his work on 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.
Prior to running for Congress, Thompson spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager and a licensed nursing home administrator. He als served on the Bald Eagle Area School Board and was a volunteer firefighter. He has a bachelor’s degree from Penn State and a master’s degree from Temple.
He is expected to run unopposed in the Republican primary and appears likely to face Democrat Ray Bilger in the General Election.
Bilger, a Bellefonte native and U.S. Air Force veteran, announced his candidacy on Monday and was scheduled to hold a public campaign launch on Thursday afternoon at the Bellefonte Art Museum.
Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania is May 19. Candidates can begin to circulate and file nomination petitions on Feb. 17. The last day to register to vote before the primary is May 4.
The General Election is Nov. 3.
