Early life, education, and early career

Thompson was born in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, grew up in Howard, Pennsylvania, and is the son of a Navy veteran. He holds a bachelor's degree from Pennsylvania State University and a master's degree from Temple University.

Thompson worked for 28 years as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, rehabilitation services manager and a licensed Nursing Home Administrator in Lycoming County, and has served for six years as chairman of the Centre County Republican Committee. He has spent twenty-five years as a member or president of the Howard Volunteer Fire Company 14 and also actively volunteers as a fire fighter, emergency medical technician, and rescue technician.

A lifelong resident of Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District, Thompson has also served in various state and regional positions with the Boy Scouts of America, the Pennsylvania Recreation and Parks Society, the Private Industry Council for the Central Corridor (PICCC), and the Central Pennsylvania Work Force Investment Board.

In addition to serving as chairman of the Centre County Republican Committee, Thompson's political career includes six years on the Bald Eagle Area School District Board of Education, three terms on the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee, and serving on the delegation for the 5th Congressional District at the 2004 Republican National Convention. Thompson also twice ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent the 76th District.

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2008 § District 5

Thompson was elected the U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district defeating Democrat Mark McCracken 58%-42%.

2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2010 § District 5

Thompson defeated Democrat Michael Pipe 69%-28%.

2012

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2012 § District 5

Thompson defeated Democrat Charles Dumas 63%-37%.

2014

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2014 § District 5

Thompson defeated Democrat Kerith Strano Taylor 64%-36%.

Tenure

When the 112th Congress convened January 5, 2011 to elect a Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Thompson's vote was the 218th vote for John Boehner giving Boehner the majority needed to be named Speaker.

During the 112th Congress, Thompson became chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation, and Energy. The Subcommittee's jurisdiction includes soil, water, and resource conservation, small watershed program, energy and bio-based energy production, rural electrification, forestry in general, which is fitting given Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District is partially located within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed and is also home to the Allegheny National Forest.

Committee assignments

• Committee on Agriculture
  • Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy, and Forestry (Chairman)
  • Subcommittee on Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology, and Foreign Agriculture
• Committee on Education and the Workforce
  • Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training
  • Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
• Committee on Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources

Caucus memberships

• Congressional Arts Caucus
• Republican Study Committee
• German-American Caucus (co-chair)
• Career and Technical Education Caucus (co-chair)

Personal life

Thompson lives in Howard Township with his wife, Penny Ammerman-Thompson. They have three grown children.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]