Glenn Thompson (politician)

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Glenn Thompson
Glenn Thompson portrait (118th Congress).jpg
Chair of the House Agriculture Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023

Glenn William "GT" Thompson Jr. (born July 27, 1959)[ citation needed ] is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was first elected to Congress in 2008 for the state's 5th congressional district; Thompson was redistricted to the 15th congressional district in the 2018 election by an order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. [1] Since 2023, he has chaired the House Agriculture Committee. Thompson became the dean of the Pennsylvania's Congressional delegation in 2025 following the defeat of Senator Bob Casey Jr.

Contents

Early life, education and early career

Thompson was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, grew up in Howard, Pennsylvania, and is the son of a Navy veteran. He holds a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation from Pennsylvania State University and dual master's degrees in therapeutic recreation and health science from Temple University.[ citation needed ]

Thompson worked for 28 years as a Therapist/Rehab Services Manager/Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Lycoming County and chaired the Centre County Republican Committee for six years. He has spent 25 years as a member or president of the Howard Volunteer Fire Company 14, and volunteers as a firefighter, emergency medical technician, and rescue technician.[ citation needed ]

U.S. House of Representatives

Tenure

Thompson during the 116th Congress Glenn Thompson 116th Congress.jpg
Thompson during the
116th Congress

When the 112th Congress convened on January 5, 2011, to elect a Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Thompson's vote was the 218th vote for John Boehner, giving Boehner the majority needed to be named Speaker.[ citation needed ]

During the 112th Congress, Thompson became chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Energy.[ citation needed ]

At the start of the 115th Congress, Thompson was named vice-chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. [2] In December 2020, ahead of the 117th Congress, he was named ranking member of the agriculture committee. [3]

Government funding

In January 2018, Thompson voted for the Fiscal Year 2018 continuing resolution (CR), a stopgap funding bill to fund the federal government at then-current levels through February 16, 2018. It also provided for six-year funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Thompson praised the measure for delaying what he called "three onerous and unpopular Obamacare taxes, which should be permanently repealed." [4]

Gun control

Thompson during Bat Week in 2017 Bat Week 2017 - Congressional Reception (cropped).jpg
Thompson during Bat Week in 2017

After the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, Thompson told an audience of students that he did not agree with the idea of arming teachers and had voted to fund an improved national background check system. Thompson called for more "uniformed law enforcement in our schools." [5]

Environment

Of climate change, Thompson has said, "I think humans contribute," but added that he was not sure of the degree to which they contribute. [6] In September 2017, Thompson and several other members of Congress asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rescind the Waters of the United States rule, calling the regulation an overreach that expanded "EPA's authority far beyond its congressional mandate." [7]

Rural air service

In April 2018, Thompson fought efforts to eliminate federal funding for the Essential Air Service. Three airports in his district participate in it. [8]

Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Thompson was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania , a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated [9] incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state. [10] [11] [12]

Marriage rights

In July 2022, Thompson voted against the Respect for Marriage Act, [13] which would codify the right to same-sex marriage, just days before attending his son's same-sex wedding. [14]

Trade

In January 2025, Thompson praised President Donald Trump's proposals to implement 25% tariffs on most goods from Canada and Mexico, saying it was an “effective tool” for “ensuring fair trade for American producers.” [15]

Committee assignments

Caucus leadership

Elections

2008

Thompson was elected the U.S. representative from Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district , defeating Democratic nominee Mark McCracken, 58%–42%. [30]

2010

Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Michael Pipe, 69%–28%. [31]

2012

Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Charles Dumas, 63%–37%. [32]

2014

Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Kerith Strano Taylor, 64%–36%. [33]

2016

Thompson defeated Taylor again, 67%–33%. [34]

2018

After the Pennsylvania Supreme Court redrew the congressional district map in February 2018, Thompson's district was renumbered the 15th. In May 2018, Susan Boser, a professor at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, won the Democratic nomination in Thompson's district, defeating Wade Johun in her party's primary. [35] In the general election, Thompson defeated Boser, 68%–32%.[ citation needed ]

2020

Thomson defeated Democratic nominee Robert Williams, 73.5%–26.5%.[ citation needed ]

2022

Thompson defeated the Democratic nominee, Lewisburg Borough Council Member Mike Molesevich, 70%–30%. [36] [37]

2024

Thompson defeated the Democratic nominee, law student Zach Womer, 71.5% - 28.5%.

References

  1. ↑ Chuck Biedka, Democrats in 15th Congressional District primary focus on broadband expansion Archived December 24, 2018, at the Wayback Machine , Trib Live
  2. ↑ "Thompson named vice chairman of the House Agriculture committee". meadvilletribune.com. January 12, 2017. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  3. ↑ Cole, John (December 3, 2020). "Thompson Elected Top Republican on Ag Committee". Politics PA. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Thompson supports government funding measure". The Bradford Era. December 22, 2017. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  5. ↑ Bundy, Andrew (April 2, 2018). "Glenn Thompson talks about new district, gun control". TheCourierExpress.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  6. ↑ Rafacz, Sarah (October 8, 2017). "Thompson meets with constituents in local forum". Centre Daily Times. Archived from the original on December 26, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  7. ↑ Davenport, Coral (June 27, 2017). "E.P.A. Moves to Rescind Contested Water Pollution Regulation". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Rep. Thompson speaks in support of rural air service". Transportation Today. May 2, 2018. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
  9. ↑ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). "Biden officially secures enough electors to become president". AP News . Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  10. ↑ Liptak, Adam (December 11, 2020). "Supreme Court Rejects Texas Suit Seeking to Subvert Election". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Order in Pending Case" (PDF). Supreme Court of the United States. December 11, 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  12. ↑ Diaz, Daniella. "Brief from 126 Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit in Supreme Court". CNN . Archived from the original on December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  13. ↑ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (July 19, 2022). "Roll Call 373 Roll Call 373, Bill Number: H. R. 8404, 117th Congress, 2nd Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Archived from the original on July 25, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ "GOP lawmaker attended gay son's wedding 3 days after voting against same-sex marriage". NBC News. July 25, 2022. Archived from the original on July 25, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  15. ↑ Miller, Maya C. (February 3, 2025). "Republicans Cheer Trump Tariffs as Their Voters Brace for Pain". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331.
  16. ↑ Orland, Madison. "Congressional Art Competition". House.gov. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  17. ↑ "The Congressional German-American Caucus | German American Business Council". Gabcwashington.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  18. ↑ "Natural Gas Caucus | Congressman Glenn Thompson". February 21, 2014. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Members | Career and Technical Education Caucus". Careerandtechnicaleducationcaucus-langevin.house.gov. Archived from the original on April 25, 2018. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Membership of the Congressional Constitution Caucus". Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Congressional Coal Caucus members list". Capitol Impact. Archived from the original on October 10, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  22. ↑ Thompson, Glen (October 25, 2013). "Thompson Times - October Newsletter". US Congress. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Members". House Baltic Caucus. Archived from the original on June 19, 2022. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  24. ↑ "Membership". Congressional Arts Caucus. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Members". Congressional Western Caucus. Archived from the original on June 25, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  27. ↑ Olson, Laura (March 21, 2017). "Charlie Dent, 'Tuesday Group' head to White House". mcall.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Members". Congressional Blockchain Caucus. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  29. ↑ "Rare Disease Congressional Caucus". Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases. Retrieved January 10, 2025.
  30. ↑ 2012 Election Results Map by State – Live Voting Updates Archived July 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine . Politico.com (June 21, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-17.
  31. ↑ 2012 Election Results Map by State – Live Voting Updates Archived July 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine . Politico.com (June 21, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-17.
  32. ↑ 2012 Election Results Map by State – Live Voting Updates Archived July 11, 2012, at the Wayback Machine . Politico.com (June 21, 2013). Retrieved on 2013-08-17.
  33. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Results: 2014 Archived November 28, 2020, at the Wayback Machine . Politico.com (2014). Retrieved on April 28, 2016.
  34. ↑ Pennsylvania Election Results: 2016 Archived January 18, 2017, at the Wayback Machine . Politico.com (2016). Retrieved on January 16, 2017.
  35. ↑ Stevens, Matthew (May 15, 2018). "IUP professor Susan Boser wins 15th District Democratic nod, to challenge Glenn Thompson". WJAC. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
  36. ↑ Moore, Marcia (October 27, 2022). "15th House District: Where Thompson vs. Molesevich stand on the issues". The Daily Item . Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  37. ↑ "Pennsylvania U.S. House Election Results 2022". NBC News. November 10, 2022. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the  U.S. House of Representatives
from Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district
2009–2019		Succeeded by
Preceded by Member from Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district
2019–present		Incumbent
Preceded by Chair of the House Agriculture Committee
2023–present
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
73rd		Succeeded by
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