Glenn Thompson

Glenn Thompson
Born	Glenn W. Thompson 27 7, 1959
Birthplace	Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	Chair of the House Agriculture Committee
Known for	U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania; Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee
Education	Master of Science in Health Administration

Glenn W. "GT" Thompson (born July 27, 1959) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district, a seat he has held since 2009 (previously numbered as the 5th congressional district before redistricting). A member of the Republican Party, Thompson serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, a role in which he has led efforts to update federal agricultural policy through the Farm Bill. Before entering Congress, Thompson worked as a therapist and healthcare professional in rural Pennsylvania, and he served in various community and civic roles. First elected in 2008, he has represented a large, predominantly rural swath of northern and central Pennsylvania for over a decade and a half. In February 2026, Thompson announced his candidacy for a tenth term in Congress, seeking to continue representing the 15th Congressional District.

Early Life

Glenn W. Thompson was born on July 27, 1959, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, a small borough in Centre County in the central part of the state. He grew up in the rural communities of central Pennsylvania, an upbringing that would later inform his political focus on rural issues, agriculture, and the concerns of small-town America. Thompson was raised in Howard Township, a small community in Centre County, and has maintained deep roots in the area throughout his life and political career.

Thompson's background in rural Pennsylvania shaped his understanding of the economic and social challenges facing communities outside major metropolitan areas. The region in which he was raised is characterized by agriculture, forestry, and small manufacturing — industries that would become central to his legislative agenda in Congress.

Education

Thompson pursued higher education in the health sciences. He earned a bachelor's degree and subsequently a Master of Science degree in Health Administration. His educational background led him to a career in rehabilitation therapy and healthcare management prior to entering politics. Thompson also completed additional training related to his work as a rehabilitation services professional, building expertise in healthcare delivery in rural settings.

Career

Pre-Congressional Career

Before entering politics, Thompson worked for nearly three decades as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager, and healthcare professional. He served as a rehabilitation services manager at Williamsport Hospital and at the Susquehanna Health System in north-central Pennsylvania. His work in healthcare gave him firsthand experience with the challenges of providing medical services in rural and underserved communities. Thompson also held roles in community organizations, including involvement with the Boy Scouts of America and various civic groups in central Pennsylvania. He was a licensed recreation therapist and worked with individuals with disabilities and other populations requiring rehabilitative care.

Thompson also served as a volunteer firefighter in Howard, further reflecting his involvement in local community life.

Election to Congress

Thompson was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, winning the seat for Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District. The district, one of the geographically largest in the eastern United States, encompassed a vast rural territory stretching across much of northern and central Pennsylvania. Thompson won the Republican primary and went on to win the general election, succeeding retiring Representative John Peterson.

Following the 2020 census and subsequent redistricting in Pennsylvania, Thompson's district was renumbered as the 15th Congressional District. Despite the new numbering and some boundary changes, the district continued to encompass a large rural area of the state, including Centre County (home to Penn State University's main campus), and portions of numerous other counties in north-central Pennsylvania.

Thompson has consistently won reelection by comfortable margins, reflecting the Republican-leaning nature of his district. In February 2026, he announced that he would seek a tenth consecutive term representing the district, further extending what has been a lengthy tenure in the House.

House Agriculture Committee Chairmanship

Thompson's most prominent role in Congress has been his leadership of the House Committee on Agriculture. As chairman, he has been responsible for overseeing the development and passage of the Farm Bill, the comprehensive piece of legislation that governs federal agricultural policy, nutrition assistance programs (including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP), conservation programs, and rural development initiatives.

The Farm Bill is typically reauthorized approximately every five years, but the process has been subject to significant delays in recent cycles. As of early 2026, Thompson was working to end what had become a nearly three-year delay in updating agricultural policies. In February 2026, he announced his intention to bring the Farm Bill to a committee vote, seeking to move the legislation forward after an extended period of negotiation and deliberation.

Thompson's leadership on the Farm Bill has attracted considerable attention from agricultural stakeholders, rural communities, and policy analysts. His efforts have included provisions addressing crop insurance, commodity support programs, conservation incentives, and rural broadband infrastructure. One area that has drawn particular interest and debate is his work on provisions that would set limits on state-level animal welfare regulations as part of the federal Farm Bill. This issue has generated discussion among agricultural producers, animal welfare organizations, and state officials about the balance between federal agricultural policy and state regulatory authority.

As Agriculture Chairman, Thompson has also been involved in discussions surrounding issues such as the herbicide Roundup and its regulatory status, as well as broader agricultural policy matters affecting farmers and rural communities across the country.

Legislative Activities

Beyond his work on the Farm Bill, Thompson has been active on a range of legislative matters during his time in Congress. His legislative focus has included issues related to rural healthcare, education, energy policy, workforce development, and veterans' affairs — issues that reflect the priorities of his largely rural constituency.

In February 2026, Thompson introduced H.R. 7567, the CFTC Whistleblower Office Account Act, a bill related to the operations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The legislation addresses the CFTC's whistleblower program, which provides financial incentives and protections for individuals who report violations of commodities trading laws.

Thompson has also been involved in securing federal funding for infrastructure and community development projects in his district. In February 2026, he announced over $2.4 million in federal funding for the Calder Way Transportation Improvement Project in State College, Pennsylvania. The project is aimed at improving transportation infrastructure in the borough, which is the home of Penn State University and one of the largest communities in Thompson's congressional district.

Thompson's constituent services and community funding activities have been a regular feature of his representation. He has worked to direct federal resources to local projects in the areas of transportation, public safety, education, and economic development across the diverse communities in his district. In addition to the Calder Way project, he has been involved in securing community funding for various other local initiatives, reflecting the role that individual members of Congress play in channeling federal investments to their home districts.

Political Positions and Policy Focus

As a Republican representing a rural district, Thompson has generally aligned with conservative positions on fiscal policy, energy development, and regulatory reform. His chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee has placed him at the center of debates over federal agricultural subsidies, nutrition assistance programs, trade policy as it affects agricultural exports, and environmental regulations affecting farming operations.

Thompson has been a proponent of domestic energy development, reflecting the significance of natural gas extraction and other energy industries in his central Pennsylvania district. He has also advocated for policies supporting timber and forestry industries, which have historical importance in the northern Pennsylvania counties he represents.

On agricultural matters, Thompson has emphasized the importance of supporting family farms and rural communities. His work on the Farm Bill has included attention to crop insurance programs, which provide a financial safety net for farmers facing losses from natural disasters, market fluctuations, and other risks. He has also focused on rural broadband expansion, recognizing the growing importance of internet connectivity for agricultural operations, healthcare delivery, education, and economic development in rural areas.

The issue of state versus federal authority over animal welfare regulations has been a notable area of Thompson's policy activity. His efforts to include provisions in the Farm Bill that would limit states' ability to impose certain animal welfare regulations on agricultural products have generated significant debate. Proponents of such provisions argue that a patchwork of state regulations creates burdens for interstate commerce in agricultural goods, while opponents contend that states should retain the authority to set animal welfare standards for products sold within their borders.

Tenth Term Campaign

In February 2026, Thompson formally announced his candidacy for a tenth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District. The announcement was made from his home base in Howard Township, Centre County.

Thompson's announcement emphasized his continued commitment to serving the rural communities of his district and his leadership role on agricultural policy. His long tenure in Congress and his chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee have made him one of the more senior Republican members of the House delegation from Pennsylvania.

The 15th Congressional District, as drawn after the 2020 redistricting cycle, covers a large geographic area in central and northern Pennsylvania. The district includes all or parts of numerous counties and encompasses a mix of small towns, farming communities, forested areas, and the university town of State College. The district's demographics and political leanings have generally favored Republican candidates, and Thompson has not faced significant electoral challenges in recent cycles.

Personal Life

Glenn Thompson resides in Howard Township in Centre County, Pennsylvania, where he has lived for much of his life. He is known locally by the nickname "GT." Thompson's connection to the Howard community has been a consistent element of his public identity, and he has often emphasized his roots in rural central Pennsylvania.

Thompson's career before Congress in rehabilitation therapy and healthcare management reflected a commitment to healthcare services in rural areas. His background as a volunteer firefighter in Howard further underscores his involvement in local community institutions.

Thompson's personal life has occasionally intersected with public attention. His family connections and community involvement in Centre County have been a regular part of his public profile as a long-serving member of Congress.

Recognition

Thompson's role as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee has made him one of the more prominent members of the U.S. House Republican caucus on matters of agricultural and rural policy. His leadership on the Farm Bill — one of the largest and most consequential pieces of legislation that Congress regularly reauthorizes — has placed him at the center of national debates about food policy, farming, nutrition assistance, conservation, and rural development.

His work securing federal funding for community projects in his district, such as the $2.4 million for the Calder Way Transportation Improvement Project in State College, has been recognized by local officials and community organizations.

Thompson's attention to issues such as the Farm Bill, agricultural regulation, community funding, and rural infrastructure has drawn coverage from a range of news outlets, including national publications focused on agricultural and energy policy as well as regional newspapers serving communities in his congressional district.

His longevity in Congress — seeking a tenth term as of 2026 — makes him one of the longer-serving members of the Pennsylvania congressional delegation. His continued service has allowed him to accumulate seniority and committee leadership positions that amplify his influence over policy areas central to his district's interests.