Glenn Thompson (politician)

Glenn Thompson (politician) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district, which includes the cities of State College and Indiana, as well as the Penn State University campus. He is a member of the Republican Party (United States), and has been in office since 2009, succeeding John Peterson (politician). Thompson has been involved in various committees, including the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the House Committee on Agriculture, working alongside other notable representatives such as John Kline (politician), Bobby Scott, and Collin Peterson. He has also worked with Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry members like Debbie Stabenow and Pat Roberts.

● Early life and education

Thompson was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Howard, Pennsylvania, where he attended Bellefonte Area School District schools. He earned a degree in Agricultural Education from Pennsylvania State University, and later received a master's degree in Agricultural Education from Temple University. During his time at Pennsylvania State University, Thompson was involved in various Agricultural Education organizations, including the National Association of Agricultural Educators and the Pennsylvania Association of Agricultural Educators, which are affiliated with the National Education Association and the Pennsylvania State Education Association. Thompson's educational background has been influenced by notable educators such as Diane Ravitch and Linda Darling-Hammond, who have worked with organizations like the Brookings Institution and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

● Career

Before entering politics, Thompson worked as a therapist and a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture employee, where he collaborated with Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture officials like Russell Redding and George Greig. He also served as the Centre County Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture director, working with other county officials such as Commissioner Michael Pipe and Commissioner Mark Higgins. Thompson's experience in the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has given him insight into the work of organizations like the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, which are led by officials such as Tom Vilsack and Janet Woodcock.

● U.S. House of Representatives

Thompson was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, defeating Mark McCracken in the general election, and has since been re-elected several times, including in 2010, when he defeated Michael Pipe, and in 2012, when he defeated Charles Dumas. He has served on various committees, including the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, where he worked with John Kline (politician), Bobby Scott, and Rubén Hinojosa, and the House Committee on Agriculture, where he worked with Frank Lucas (politician), Collin Peterson, and Tim Holden. Thompson has also been involved in the House Republican Conference, led by representatives like John Boehner and Eric Cantor, and has worked with other congressional leaders such as Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer.

● Political positions

Thompson has taken stances on various issues, including education policy, where he has worked with organizations like the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, led by officials such as Lily Eskelsen García and Randi Weingarten. He has also been involved in agricultural policy, working with groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union, which are led by officials such as Bob Stallman and Roger Johnson (politician). Additionally, Thompson has taken positions on health care policy, including the Affordable Care Act, which was signed into law by Barack Obama and has been influenced by officials such as Kathleen Sebelius and Sylvia Mathews Burwell. Thompson's political positions have been shaped by his work with other representatives, including Paul Ryan, Kevin McCarthy (California politician), and Steve Scalise.

● Elections

Thompson has won several elections, including his initial election in 2008, when he defeated Mark McCracken, and his re-elections in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018, when he defeated candidates such as Michael Pipe, Charles Dumas, Kerith Strano Taylor, and Susan Boser. He has also been involved in primary elections, where he has faced challengers like James Weaver (politician). Thompson's election campaigns have been influenced by his work with the National Republican Congressional Committee, led by officials such as Pete Sessions and Steve Stivers, and the Pennsylvania Republican Party, which is led by officials such as Rob Gleason and Val DiGiorgio.