Glenn Thompson

Glenn Thompson has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing the 5th district of the State of Pennsylvania, since 2009 (map).

Abortion
Thompson believes abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered and that Medicare, Medicaid, and federal subsidies should be prohibited from being used on abortion procedures.

Spending
Thompson has indicated that he would slightly increase spending for agriculture, defense, medical research, scientific research while maintaining spending on the environment, FEMA, homeland security, both federal and state law enforcement, national parks, public health services, space exploration programs,transportation and highway infrastructure, and welfare. He would seek slight decreases in spending for the arts, education, international aid and the United Nations.

Taxes
Thompson would seek to eliminate income taxes on families making less than $12,000 as well as seek substantial decreases for those making under $100,000. He supports a repeal of the federal estate tax and believes the federal budget should be balanced every year.

Education
Thompson supports a voucher system to allow families to send their children to any public, private or religious school. He would seek to eliminate the federal education standards such as the No Child Left Behind Act.

Employment
Thompson supports reduced government regulation in the private sector and the rights of workers to unionize. He would seek to increase funding for national job training programs.

Environment and Energy
Thompson supports increased development of traditional energy resources and would seek oil exploration in areas currently off-limits. He would strengthen fuel efficiency standards and encourage development of alternative fuels including nuclear reactors.

Health
Thompson supports the expansion of eligibility for tax-free medical savings accounts and tax credits for individuals and small business to offset the cost of insurance coverage. He would allow the importation of prescription drugs into the United States.

Immigration
Thompson supports returning illegal immigrants to their countries of origin before considering them for citizenship. He would support a temporary worker program but would seek harsher punishments for those who knowingly employ illegal immigrants. He supports making English the official national language.

International Policy
Thompson supports the United States giving aid to countries during disasters and circumstances that threaten civilian lives as well as to countries where U.S. security interests are concerned. He would eliminate U.S. aid to countries with documented human rights abuses. While Thompson does support free trade agreements, he would be willing to consider sanctions against North Korea, Iran, Venezuela and China if the circumstances warranted such action.

Iraq War
Thompson supports maintaining troop levels in Iraq and believes decisions regarding our troops in Iraq should be made by the commanders on the ground. Not politicians. Our troops should return when we have established a stable democracy and the Iraq citizens have continued to step up and providing for their own security. He supports continued military and financial support in Afghanistan.

National Security
Thompson is against giving greater discretion to law enforcement agencies to monitor domestic communications to prevent future terrorist attacks and the creation of a federal identification card system. He supports holding foreign states accountable for terrorists who operate in their country and pre-emptive military strikes against countries deemed a security threat to the United States. He would support increased federal funding for states and cities for homeland security.

Social Issues
Thompson is against allowing same-sex couples to marry and supports a federal constitutional amendment defining marriage as between man and woman. He is against stem cell research on existing embryonic stem cell lines or the creation of stem cell lines from new embryos. He believes the federal government should end affirmative action programs.

Bio
Glenn is a 48 year old lifetime resident of Howard, Pennsylvania. He is married to the former Penny Ammerman and they have three children, Parker, Logan, Kale. Parker is married and lives in Huntingdon, Logan is a Purple Heart Recipient with the Army. Logan was wounded in an IED explosion south of Baghdad in 2007. Kale is graduating from Bald Eagle Area High School in June and plans on pursuing a music education degree.

Glenn has worked for 26 years as a health care professional with Williamsport Hospital and Susquehanna Health Systems. Glenn has worked most recently as a Rehabilitation Services Manager with the three hospital health system. Glenn also has been involved in the Juniata Valley Boy Scout Council for over 30 years, first as an Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster and now President of Council. For the past 25 years Glenn has also served in the Howard Fire Company as a volunteer fire fighter, including 16 years as President of the Department.

Politically Glenn has served six years on the Bald Eagle Area School Board. He ran two unsuccessful campaigns against incumbent Mike Hanna in the 76th Legislative District of Pennsylvania in 1998 and 2000. The past six years Glenn has been the voter elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Centre County.

2008 elections
In the April 22 primary, Thompson won the Republican nomination to replace Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.), who was retiring at the end of his term. Thompson went on to defeat Democratic nominee Mark McCracken in the November 2008 general election.

Peterson endorsement
On April 11, Peterson endorsed Thompson to fill his seat. In a statement, Peterson said:

"I have met with every candidate seeking the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District," said Congressman Peterson. "While there are many fine candidates seeking this office, there is only one candidate that has the experience, leadership qualities and is ready to serve the citizens of the 17 counties that comprise the 5th district. That candidate is Glenn "GT" Thompson. Glenn is a family man who shares the conservative values of Republicans across Pennsylvania. Glenn is a man of honor and integrity who has served his community as a volunteer firefighter/EMT for twenty-five years and as a leader with the Boy Scouts of America for thirty years. This is the type of commitment and dedication Washington D.C. desperately needs."

"I enthusiastically ask the citizens of the fifth congressional district to join me on Tuesday, April 22 in supporting Glenn "GT" Thompson to become our next Congressman. He is clearly the best choice to continue my work on the issues that matter to us: Rural Health Care, Technical Education, Energy Independence, Keeping tolls off I-80 and bringing  jobs and stability to the region. I thank you in advance for your support of Glenn "GT" Thompson for Congress," concluded Congressman Peterson.

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Campaign contributions
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Committees
Thompson will be assigned committees if and when he is elected to Congress.

Contact
DC Office: 124 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-3805 Phone: (202) 225-5121 Fax: Web Email Website

District Office - Bellefonte: 3555 Benner Pike, Suite 101 Bellefonte, PA 16823 Phone: (814) 353-0215 Fax: (814) 353-0218

District Office - Titusville: 127 West Spring Street, Suite C Titusville, PA 16354 Phone: 814-827-3985 Fax: 814-827-7307

Official Thompson for Congress Web site

Friends of Glenn Thompson 198 Park Road Howard, PA 16841 [mailto:glenn@glennthompson2008.com glenn@glennthompson2008.com]

Related SourceWatch articles

 * 2008 U.S. congressional elections
 * 2008 U.S. congressional election dates
 * Portal:Pennsylvania and the U.S. Congress

External resources

 * Official Thompson for Congress Web site
 * 2008 Race Tracker page on Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District