Charles Dumas, a professor in Penn State’s School of Theatre, is collecting signatures to appear on the ballot opposing U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson for the seat in the 5th Congressional District.

Dumas, a Democrat, has until Feb. 16 to gather the 1,000 signatures that would place him on the April 24 primary election ballot.

The 5th District includes 17 counties in central, northern and northwest Pennsylvania.

Dumas, 66, has lived in State College for 17 years with his wife, Jo. He is a visiting professor at the University of the Free State in South Africa, and holds a political science degree from the State University of New York and a law degree from Yale University. For the past few years, he has written a monthly column for the Centre Daily Times.

While Dumas has not served in political office previously, he worked as an intern for New York Rep. Charles Rangel’s Washington, D.C. office and was an unsuccessful candidate for the 39th District state Senate seat in New York in 1980.

Jo Dumas, speaking for her husband Wednesday, said his priority issues are jobs, education, health care and sustainable development.

“He has a deep love for the people,” she said. “He has a deep love for the citizens of our community, of our state, and our country.”

Thompson, R-Howard Township, confirmed he will run for reelection to what he considers “the people’s seat.” He has served two terms since his election in 2008.

No candidates have filed yet with the state to run for the seat, and Dumas is the only challenger to express interest so far, according to local party leaders.

Jessica VanderKolk can be reached at 235-3910.