Glenn Thompson

BELLEFONTE -- Republican candidate Glenn Thompson is sure he and U.S. Rep. John Peterson (R-Pleasantville) have differences.

The congressional candidate just couldn't name any in an interview with PolitickerPa.com.

"Obviously, I'm sure there are issues we're on the opposite side of," he said, "I just don't know what those are at this point."

But Peterson's GOP heir apparent had no such problem describing how he and the retiring congressman are alike, especially about their shared opposition to tolls on Interstate 80.

BELLEFONTE -- Glenn Thompson's new headquarters is so empty and long -- it extends nearly half a football field from its back wall to front door -- the Republican congressional candidate might hear an echo if he yelled inside of it. The only desks in the downtown Bellefonte office are mostly pushed into a corner, sitting next to freshly opened cardboard boxes and piles of Styrofoam packing.

Fewer than a 100 days before the general election, he's still moving in.

It's odd to see any congressional candidate, much less a heavily favored Republican in the rural 5th Congressional District, moving into an office so near the election. The late relocation might even be interpreted as a warning sign that the candidate is ill-prepared for the fall.

The $123,171 raised in the second quarter by Republican congressional candidate Glenn Thompson isn't much compared to some other congressional candidates with a good chance at winning.

But it's like Fort Knox compared to what his opponent raised.

Democratic candidate Mark McCracken raised $14,813 during the same time period, giving him $7,877 on hand.

Thompson has nearly $75,000 more, with $83,867 on hand.

The fundraising totals only confirm Thompson's heavy-favorite status in the 5th Congressional District as he seeks to replace longtime Republican U.S. Rep. John Peterson.

The second quarter is over and now we wait for the FEC numbers to be released.  But what should we expect?

In the 3rd district Phil English is facing off against challenger Kathy Dahlkemper.  In April English was showing $690k cash on had after raising $282k in the first quarter.   Dalhkemper raised $58k during the same period and had $71k on hand.  This is the make or break quarter for Dahlkemper.  She has been named as a candidate to watch on the DCCC Red-to-Blue program, but another $58k quarter will not get the job done.  For Dahlkemper to be taken seriously by the DCCC she will need to post a number that puts her with at least $250k cash on hand.

In the closing days of the primary campaign, Derek Walker loaned himself $191,000 and Matt Shaner loaned himself $400,000.

While Glenn Thompson's report was not available on the FEC website, it's reported that he raised only $18,000 – not a lot for the chairman of the county Republican Party. Jeffrey Stroehmann refused to discuss his spending when prompted by CentreDaily, but disclosed a $20,000 personal loan to his campaign to the FEC.

What's noteworthy about the spending patterns is the degree to which the top Republican money-raisers relied on self-finance, but ended up splitting the vote.

Glenn Thompson won a narrow victory in last night’s Congressional District 5 Republican primary. He got 19.4 percent of the vote, in comparison to Derek Walker’s 17.7 percent and Matt Shaner's 17.5 percent and Jeffrey Stroehmann's 13.7 percent, according to the Department of State’s website.

“Since day one in my bid for the Republican nomination, I have run an issue oriented, positive, grassroots campaign,” said Thompson. “My motto of ‘People above Politics’ will remain the key focus of the campaign as we begin the long journey toward the November general election.”

Thompson will take on Mark McCracken (D) in the general to fill the seat of retiring Rep. John Peterson (R).

PA-05 is about as solid a Republican district as you can get. George W. Bush beat John Kerry with 61% of the vote. With John Peterson retiring it was assumed that the winner of the Republican Primary election would be the next Congressman from the 5th district.

Winners based on the vote count from the PA Secretary of State website.

Democratic Presidential: Hillary Clinton
Democratic State Treasurer: Robert McCord

Congress
PA-03 Democratic: Kathy Daulkemper
PA-05 Democratic: Mark McCracken
PA-05 Republican: Glenn Thompson
PA-10 Republican: Chris Hackett
PA-18 Democratic: Steve O'Donnell

State Senate
SD1 Democratic: Lawrence Farnese
SD13 Republican: Lloyd Smucker
SD15 Democratic: Judy Hirsh
SD17 Republican: Lance Rogers
SD23 Republican: Gene Yaw
SD33 Republican: Richard Alloway
SD39 Democratic: Tony Bompiani
SD47 Democratic: Sean Michael Ramaley
SD47 Republican: Elder Vogel

With a week to go before the April 22 primary, Republican Glenn Thompson, running to replace retiring U.S. Rep. John Peterson, is set to his campaign headquarters in State College.

The office opening comes on the heels of Peterson’s weekend endorsement of Thompson.

"These last three days have been awe-inspiring,” said Thompson. “Having received the endorsement of Congressman Peterson on Friday, and opening an office where volunteers can gather today, our campaign is surging. The outpouring of support that I received over the weekend was a humbling experience, yet only further validates my candidacy as the most job-ready candidate in this race.”