Rep. Glenn Thompson (R)

The new congressman from the 5th District is Republican Glenn Thompson, who cruised to victory in 2008 to retain the GOP seat of Rep. John Peterson. A lifelong resident of Centre County, Thompson was born in Bellefonte, Penn., where he grew up with a sister and two brothers, one of whom was adopted. Staying close to home for college, he attended Penn State in nearby State College. After graduating, he launched his career in health care at Williamsport Hospital, which later consolidated with two other area hospitals to form the community health network Susquehanna Health, where he worked as a rehabilitation services manager when he launched his campaign for the House. Now a resident of Howard Township, Thompson served as a member of the board of the Bald Eagle Area School District from 1990 to 1996. He ran twice for state representative, both times unsuccessfully, but was elected to three terms as chairman of the Centre County Republican Party. In 2004, he was a member of Pennsylvania’s delegation to the Republican National Committee.

Peterson announced in early January 2008 that he would not seek re-election. In the nine-candidate primary, Thompson’s hopes at first appeared dim against the robust spending by rivals. Two of his opponents, businessmen Matt Shaner and Derek Walker, financed their own campaigns, and took to the airwaves hoping to reach voters across the geographically expansive district. Thompson instead hit the pavement, crisscrossing the district in a low-key campaign that emphasized his Republican positions and focused on rural issues. He opposed tolling on local Interstate 80 and called for expanding rural Medicare initiatives. He also spoke of the Iraq war in personal terms; his son, Logan, was injured by a landmine in late 2007 while serving there.

Two developments late in the campaign likely provided Thompson with the boost he needed to break out of the pack. Less than two weeks before the primary, Peterson threw his support behind Thompson as the candidate who would follow in his legacy and who best understood rural issues. The following week, the Clearfield County district attorney filed charges against Walker for allegedly breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment. Together, Peterson’s endorsement and Walker’s personal problems allowed Thompson to eke out a small victory. Vastly outspent, he won 19% of the vote to beat Walker by just over 800 votes.

The general election was a breeze by comparison. Thompson’s opponent, Clearfield County Commissioner Mark McCracken, did not raise much money and received little help from the Democratic Party. Thompson won 57% to 41%, carrying 16 of the district’s 17 counties. The aftermath was unusually civil: Thompson invited McCracken to attend President Barack Obama’s first primetime joint address to Congress as his guest.

In the House, Thompson broke with the majority of House Republicans in January 2009 by voting to expand the State Children’s Health Insurance Program. Rural causes remain a priority for him. He has seats on the Agriculture Committee, and also the Education and Labor and Small Business committees.