Glenn Thompson | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official portrait, 2022 | |
| Chair of theHouse Agriculture Committee | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | David Scott |
| Ranking Member of theHouse Agriculture Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Conaway |
| Succeeded by | David Scott |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's15th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | John E. Peterson |
| Constituency | 5th district (2009–2019) 15th district (2019–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Glenn William Thompson Jr. (1959-07-27)July 27, 1959 (age 66) Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Penny Ammerman |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Pennsylvania State University (BS) Temple University (MEd) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Glenn William "GT"Thompson Jr. (born July 27, 1959)[1] is an American politician serving as theU.S. representative forPennsylvania's 15th congressional district since 2019. A member of theRepublican Party, he was first elected to Congress in2008 for the state's5th congressional district; Thompson was redistricted to the 15th congressional district in the2018 election by anorder of theSupreme Court of Pennsylvania.[2] Since 2023, he has chaired the House Agriculture Committee. Thompson became the dean of thePennsylvania's congressional delegation in 2025 following the defeat of SenatorBob Casey Jr.
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Thompson was born inBellefonte, Pennsylvania, grew up inHoward, Pennsylvania, and is the son of a Navy veteran. He holds a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation fromPennsylvania State University and dual master's degrees in therapeutic recreation and health science fromTemple University.[citation needed]
Thompson worked for 28 years as a therapist/rehab services manager/licensed nursing home administrator inLycoming County and chaired theCentre CountyRepublican 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]
When the 112th Congress convened on January 5, 2011, to elect aspeaker of the United States House of Representatives, Thompson's vote was the 218th vote forJohn Boehner, giving Boehner the majority needed to be named Speaker.[citation needed]
During the 112th Congress, Thompson became chairman of theHouse Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Energy.[citation needed]
At the start of the 115th Congress, Thompson was named vice-chairman of theHouse Committee on Agriculture.[3] In December 2020, ahead of the 117th Congress, he was named ranking member of the agriculture committee.[4]
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."[5]
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After theStoneman 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."[6]
Of climate change, Thompson has said, "I think humans contribute," but added that he was not sure of the degree to which they contribute.[7] In September 2017, Thompson and several other members of Congress asked theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) andU.S. Army Corps of Engineers to rescind theWaters of the United States rule, calling the regulation an overreach that expanded "EPA's authority far beyond its congressional mandate."[8]
In April 2018, Thompson fought efforts to eliminate federal funding for theEssential Air Service. Three airports in his district participate in it.[9]
In December 2020, Thompson was one of 126 Republican members of theHouse of Representatives to sign anamicus brief in support ofTexas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at theUnited States Supreme Court contesting the results of the2020 presidential election, in whichJoe Biden defeated[10] incumbentDonald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lackedstanding underArticle III of the Constitution to challenge the results of an election held by another state.[11][12][13]
In July 2022, Thompson voted against theRespect for Marriage Act,[14] which would codify the right tosame-sex marriage, just days before attending his son's same-sex wedding.[15]
In 2023, in response toCalifornia's Proposition 12, Thompson introduced the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, which sought to prohibit state and local governments from imposing production standards on agricultural goods sold in interstate commerce.[16] The proposal became a key point of contention during negotiations over the 2023United States farm bill, but it was ultimately not included in the farm bill extension.
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."[17]
Thompson was elected theU.S. representative fromPennsylvania's 5th congressional district, defeating Democratic nominee Mark McCracken, 58%–42%.[35]
Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Michael Pipe, 69%–28%.[36]
Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Charles Dumas, 63%–37%.[37]
Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Kerith Strano Taylor, 64%–36%.[38]
Thompson defeated Taylor again, 67%–33%.[39]
After thePennsylvania 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.[40] In the general election, Thompson defeated Boser, 68%–32%.[citation needed]
Thompson defeated Democratic nominee Robert Williams, 73.5%–26.5%.[citation needed]
Thompson defeated the Democratic nominee,Lewisburg Borough Council Member Mike Molesevich, 70%–30%.[41][42]
Thompson defeated the Democratic nominee, law student Zach Womer, 71.5% - 28.5%.[1]
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Media related toGlenn "G.T." Thompson at Wikimedia Commons| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 5th congressional district 2009–2019 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromPennsylvania's 15th congressional district 2019–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Ranking Member of theHouse Agriculture Committee 2021–2023 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chair of theHouse Agriculture Committee 2023–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 71st | Succeeded by |
