John Peterson

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.

By a vote of 293-129 the U.S. Congress today passed the hotly debated FISA bill.  Four of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation voted against the bill.  Bob Brady (PA-01), Chaka Fattah (PA-02), Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) and Michael Doyle (PA-14) voted no, while John Peterson (PA-05) did not vote.

U.S. Rep. John Peterson (R-Pleasantville) has refused to back U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) because he does not agree with the presumptive Republican nominee's energy policy, The Hill reports.

“If global warming is our top energy priority, this country has no economic future.” Peterson told The Hill.

He didn’t endorse any candidate in the GOP primary.

“None of them made energy their top issue,” he said.

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.

With the April 22 primary days away, departing U.S. Rep. John Peterson has endorsed Republican Glenn Thompson.

“This guy’s comfortable in his skin — a lot of people aren’t,” Peterson said Friday. “When you aren’t comfortable in your skin, it’s tough to be a leader.”

Peterson, who is one of 14 candidates competing for Peterson’s seat, wrote on his campaign blog over the weekend that, “I am still, almost 48 hours after receiving the news, unbelievably happy. This campaign has taken its toll on my body, my sleeping habits, and probably my wife, although she might be happier the more time I’m away. It is however worth it when a man that you admire so much, as I do Congressman Peterson, looks at what you have done and who you are and says, ‘That’s the guy.’”

Republican Jeff Stroehmann, running for the congressional seat of the departing John Peterson, is touting a new endorsement Friday from Lycoming County Commissioner Jeff Wheeland.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to send a local candidate to Congress,” said Wheeland.  “I have no doubt that Jeff Stroehmann will represent us well in Washington and work to restore jobs to the region.”

Stroehmann, a former Woodward Township Supervisor, is running in a crowded primary field that includes hotel developer Matt Shaner, financial consultant Derek Walker, and Elk County Coroner Lou Radkowski.

District 5 congressional candidate Derek Walker has received the endorsements of several Jefferson County elected officials, including County Commissioners Paul Corbin and Jim McIntyre and County Auditors Roger Richards and Maxine Zimmerman.

"We are supporting Derek Walker because he has the best solutions to address the problems confronting our region. With growing concerns for our national and local economies and rising costs in energy, Derek Walker will use our abundant natural resources to create new jobs and bring energy costs down. In addition, Derek is not afraid to stand up for the rights of the unborn, protect the rights of sportsmen, and fight against the tolling of I-80," the delegation said in a letter today.

Walker is one of 10 Republican candidates running for the seat of departing U.S. Rep. John Peterson.

Jeff Stroehmann, one of the Republicans running for Congress in District 5, has picked up the joint endorsement of Potter County’s Republican County Commissioners Doug Morley and Paul Heimel.

“His plan for reinventing rural Pennsylvania is just what we need here in Potter County, particularly when it comes to his economic vision and strategies,” said Commissioner Morley.  “We ask that our fellow Republicans join with us in supporting Jeff.”

“Both Doug and I were impressed by the specifics of Jeff’s plan,” said Commissioner Heimel. “Like Jeff says, we cannot rebuild our communities until we create more jobs. We also greatly value our natural resources and the things that make our county special. Jeff gets it, and we are eager to work with him on his campaign and in Congress.”

Highlighting his pledge to reform the earmarking process, The Club for Growth has endorsed businessman Matt Shaner in the 5th Congressional District race.