The 15th Congressional District race pits incumbent Rep. Glenn Thompson, one of the highest ranking Republicans in the U.S. House, against Democratic challenger Zach Womer, 25, of Philipsburg.
Thompson, 65, first elected to the House in 2008, is a lifelong resident of Howard in Centre County, where he lives with his wife. The pair have three adult children and two grandchildren.
Thompson is the chairman of the influential House Agriculture Committee and he is a senior member of the House Education & Labor Committee. Other committees he serves on include Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary Education, Civil Rights and Human Resources.
In 2022, Thompson won re-election to the 15th Congressional District with a more than 2-1 margin over Democrat. Michael Molesevich. Thompson was first elected in 2008 when the region was in the 5th Congressional District. After 2018 redistricting he has served the broad 15th District, which includes McKean, Potter, Elk and Cameron counties.
Thompson earned his undergraduate degree at Penn State and a Master of Education at Temple University. Before being elected to Congress, Thompson worked for 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitations services manager. He holds a license in nursing home administration.
Thompson is also an Eagle Scout and a volunteer firefighter.
“Service begins with working hard to maintain an awareness of the problems and issues facing you, the people whom I serve. Problem-solving the challenges our nation faces requires bipartisan solutions,” Thompson’s campaign stated.
Womer was the first person in his family to earn a college degree. He attended Denison University in Ohio before becoming a student at Pennsylvania State Law. He is currently in law school.
He has served on the Centre County Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and Early Intervention Advisory Board.
Womer is focused on the issues of public assistance, workers’ rights, trade, corporate interests and women’s health care.
“His decision to run for Congress was prompted by the economic degradation of central Pennsylvania, his Methodist directive to serve all people and his passion for supporting the people who helped him get where he is today,” Womer’s campaign stated.
