Republican U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson appears to have handily defeated a challenge from Democratic candidate Kerith Strano Taylor for Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District.
Unofficial results with 80 percent of precincts reporting had Thompson leading by a more than two-to-one margin.
Thompson held a victory party in Lock Haven on Tuesday, and spoke to The Era by phone.
“I am very, very pleased, and very appreciative for the trust and support that came from all 16 counties in the Fifth District,” Thompson said. “It was a strong win in a big year.
“I feel that it’s a reflection that my focus on taking homegrown solutions to Washington has been effective. Using those skills of listening and leading has been effective at moving significant policies and pieces of legislation.”
In his victory speech in Lock Haven, he said, “While there has been an increasingly negative tone throughout this election cycle, we have run a very positive campaign that should make each and every volunteer and supporter proud. We must work to get the negative out of politics and remain focused on doing what is best for our families and neighbors.”
Speaking to The Era, he added of the presidential race, “No matter who wins, because of the type of race we’ve had with the two individuals that were running, our country will be so divided.
“We need some healing in the land,” Thompson said. “There’s an opportunity to unify and provide some badly needed healing with the nation. I look forward to tackling that challenge.”
What’s next for the congressman? Right back to work.
Late Tuesday night, he said, “My priority is to be in Huntingdon County at 7:30 in the morning to celebrate the opening of a new emergency room. I’m getting right back on the job.”
He will be in Smethport later this week, and visiting the Otto-Eldred School District on Thursday.
“We have a lot of work to do when I get back to Washington Monday,” he added. “We’ve got what I like to call homegrown solutions that deal with protecting private property rights, career and technical education and restoring some civil rights for individuals with disabilities.”
