The Gist
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Federal

U.S. Representative, 15th Congressional District

Vote for
1
Term
2 years
Candidates
2
Election
Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.

All of Warren County is in the 15th Congressional District. In Venango County, the 15th District includes the City of Oil City; the boroughs of Clintonville, Emlenton, Pleasantville and Rouseville; and the townships of Allegheny, Cherrytree, Clinton, Cornplanter, Cranberry, Oakland, Oilcreek, Pinegrove, Plum, President, Richland, Rockland, Scrubgrass and Victory (precinct 2). The rest of Venango County is in the 16th District.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Taxes & budget

  • Ray BilgerDemocratic

    No documented position found.

  • Glenn GT ThompsonRepublican

    • Supported the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill, including its tax cuts, spending cuts and changes to SNAP.In office

Public safety

  • Ray BilgerDemocratic

    • Supports the Second Amendment along with background checks and what he calls common-sense gun laws.
    • Supports border security and legal immigration pathways; wants ICE and CBP agents unmasked and independently reviewed.

  • Glenn GT ThompsonRepublican

    • Voted for the FY2027 defense authorization, which included $42.4 million he secured for Penn State defense research.In office

Education

  • Ray BilgerDemocratic

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

  • Glenn GT ThompsonRepublican

    • Sponsored the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, signed in January 2026, allowing whole and 2% milk in school meals.In office
    • Introduced a bipartisan bill creating tax-advantaged Skill Savings Accounts for worker training.In office

Economy & jobs

  • Ray BilgerDemocratic

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

  • Glenn GT ThompsonRepublican

    • Led the 2026 farm bill, which passed the House 224-200 and reauthorizes USDA programs through 2031.In office
    • Introduced a bipartisan bill to expand and lower the cost of the H-2A temporary farm worker visa program.In office

Roads & infrastructure

  • Ray BilgerDemocratic

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

  • Glenn GT ThompsonRepublican

    No documented position found.

Environment & parks

  • Ray BilgerDemocratic

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

  • Glenn GT ThompsonRepublican

    • Introduced a bill barring federal eminent domain on farmland when a feasible alternative site exists.In office

Health & human services

  • Ray BilgerDemocratic

    • Supports protecting affordable insurance coverage, lowering drug costs, and defending Medicare and Medicaid.
    • Supports codifying abortion rights in federal law and protecting access to contraception.
    • Opposes VA cuts that delay treatment and private equity involvement in veterans' care.

  • Glenn GT ThompsonRepublican

    • Pledges to work to save Medicare and Social Security.
    • Describes his campaign as fighting for the sanctity of human life, including the unborn.
    • Co-sponsors bills to support rural critical access hospitals and raise Medicare payments to community health centers.In office

Government & transparency

  • Ray BilgerDemocratic

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

  • Glenn GT ThompsonRepublican

    No documented position found.

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 8 issues covered in this race.