The Gist
U.S. Representative, 15th Congressional District
Photo of Ray Bilger
Ray BilgerCampaign photo — Ray Bilger for Congress (photo by Dave Mengle Photography)

Ray Bilger

Candidate for U.S. Representative, 15th Congressional District

Democratic

Background

Occupation
Former intelligence analyst
Lives in
Centre County
Campaign website
bilgerforcongress.com

U.S. Air Force veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm who spent 35 years as a security officer and intelligence analyst for the Air Force, National Security Agency and State Department, including as NSA Technical Director for Cyber Analysis from 2015 to 2017. He has not held elected office.

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Photo: Campaign photo — Ray Bilger for Congress (photo by Dave Mengle Photography)

Documented positions

Public safety

  • Supports the Second Amendment along with background checks and what he calls common-sense gun laws.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Second Amendment · bilgerforcongress.com

    “A gun owner and veteran can believe in the Second Amendment while also believing in common-sense gun laws. … Background checks should work the way they are supposed to”
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  • Supports border security and legal immigration pathways; wants ICE and CBP agents unmasked and independently reviewed.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Immigration and ICE · bilgerforcongress.com

    “Fixing that system means securing the border, creating workable legal pathways, and clearing the backlogs … Officers doing their jobs should wear identifiable uniforms and badge numbers and comply with established use-of-force policies.”
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Education

  • Supports expanding grants to recruit and keep teachers and protecting federal research funding at Penn State.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Education · bilgerforcongress.com

    “Expanding grants to attract and retain top teaching talent in Pennsylvania must be a priority. … protecting the federal funding that supports critical research at Penn State”
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Economy & jobs

  • Supports the Agricultural Right to Repair Act, protecting crop insurance, and returning tariff decisions to Congress.

    Bilger also says Congress should reclaim its authority over spending and tariffs, and supports helping small businesses, farms and local banks start and grow in the district.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Farming … Economy · bilgerforcongress.com

    “pass the Agricultural Right to Repair Act. Protect crop insurance. Bring tariff decisions back to Congress … Congress must reclaim its constitutional authority over spending and tariffs rather than surrendering those powers to the executive branch.”
    Report

Roads & infrastructure

  • Calls for federal data center rules, including broadband investment, water-use transparency and ratepayer protections.

    His five data center priorities are broadband co-investment as a condition of federal tax benefits, mandatory community benefit agreements, full water-use transparency, clean-air standards for backup generators, and ratepayer protections.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Data Centers · bilgerforcongress.com

    “Broadband co-investment as a condition of federal tax benefits. … Ratepayer protections to shield families from the costs of data-center demand.”
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Environment & parks

  • Supports the natural gas industry alongside stronger oversight and real consequences for drilling violations.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Energy · bilgerforcongress.com

    “The problem isn’t the industry; it’s what happens when companies cut corners and nobody holds them accountable. … That means stronger oversight, real consequences for violations, and making sure the benefits of energy production stay here”
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Health & human services

  • Supports protecting affordable insurance coverage, lowering drug costs, and defending Medicare and Medicaid.

    Bilger also calls for strengthening rural hospitals and addressing the shortage of medical professionals in rural Pennsylvania.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Healthcare · bilgerforcongress.com

    “protecting affordable insurance coverage, lowering prescription drug costs, defending Medicare and Medicaid, strengthening rural hospitals and healthcare providers”
    Report

  • Supports codifying abortion rights in federal law and protecting access to contraception.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Reproductive Rights · bilgerforcongress.com

    “The right to abortion should be codified in federal law. … Representatives should protect access to contraception.”
    Report

  • Opposes VA cuts that delay treatment and private equity involvement in veterans' care.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Veterans · bilgerforcongress.com

    “pushing back against VA cuts that delay treatment is a priority, along with keeping private equity from standing between veterans and their care”
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Government & transparency

  • Supports a constitutional amendment limiting House members to six terms and a ban on congressional stock trading.

    Bilger also calls for closing the revolving door between Congress and lobbying firms and overturning Citizens United.

    Priorities - Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15

    Campaign website · Ray Bilger for Congress · Fixing Congress … Fixing Congress · bilgerforcongress.com

    “A constitutional amendment limiting House members to six terms—twelve years—would bring a clear limit to congressional careers. … banning congressional stock trading”
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Other issues in this race

Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Ray Bilger on them.

  • Taxes & budgetNo documented position found.

All sources (29)

Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.