Who is running to represent Centre County in federal, state government in 2026?
In the spring primary and November election, Centre County voters will select representatives for the state House and the U.S. House of Representatives, and candidates have started announcing their intentions to run for election to represent Happy Valley.
Centre County has three state house districts: PA-171, represented by Republican Kerry Benninghoff, PA-77, represented by Democrat Scott Conklin, and PA-82, represented by Democrat Paul Takac. Each seat is a two-year term, and will all be up for election this year.
The county has one U.S. congressional district, Pennsylvania’s 15th congressional district, represented by Republican Glenn “GT” Thompson, which is up for election this year. It is a two-year term.
There are also two state senate districts in Centre County — PA-25, represented by Republican Cris Dush and PA-35, represented by Republican Wayne Langerholc — but their four-year terms aren’t up until 2028.
Feb. 17 was the first day candidates can circulate and file nomination petitions to get on the ballot. The general primary is May 19 and the general election is Nov. 3.
As more candidates announce, this article will be updated.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Scott Conklin, PA-77
Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Rush Township, announced his reelection campaign to Pennsylvania’s 77th House District. Since 2007, Conklin has represented parts of Centre County, including Philipsburg and some of State College. He is the chair of the House Commerce committee.
“At this critical time, experience and seniority are of utmost importance in legislative representation. I have always strived to be a servant leader for working families and all people I’ve represented in my years of public service,” Conklin said in a press release. “Our offices, in both State College and Philipsburg, will continue to deliver the excellent service so many in our community have come to rely upon. In Harrisburg, I will continue fighting for increased education funding, safer infrastructure, voter accessibility, and environmental sustainability.”
His campaign is co-chaired by Centre County Controller Jason Moser and Centre County Treasurer Colleen Kennedy. Both endorsed him and in a joint statement said Conklin has “advocated for his constituents, stood up for workers, and defended democracy in our beloved Commonwealth.”
The release states he has endorsements from the Pennsylvania State Building Trades and Construction Council, Teamsters Local 8, Teamsters Joint Council 40, Centre County Democratic State Committee members Laura Shadle (who also serves as his political director), Jeremy Breon and Joanne Tosti-Vasey, and Pennsylvania House Speaker Rep. Joanna McClinton.
Prior to the state house, he was a Centre County commissioner for seven years and has a background in business. He previously had unsuccessful runs for statewide offices, including auditor general in 2020 and lieutenant governor in 2010. In the November 2024 election, Conklin defeated Republican Marie Librizzi with about 61% of the vote.
Philipsburg resident Zach Womer, who announced his intentions in July to seek the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s 77th House District, dropped out of the race on Feb. 26.
John Zangari, PA-171
John Zangari announced in mid-February he is running for Pennsylvania’s House District 171, which represents parts of Centre and Mifflin counties. The Democrat was raised in Northampton County and said he’s running for office because he believes “Harrisburg should work for everyday Pennsylvanians — not insiders.”
Zangari has degrees in criminal justice from Northampton Community College and Kutztown University, and served as a Lehigh County corrections officer. His campaign website states working as a corrections officer gave him a firsthand understanding of public safety and what reforms are needed to strengthen both trust and effectiveness. He also owns a small business, Zangari Media, and currently works at Penn State.
The Democrat’s website lists his top priorities and “common-sense solutions.”
“John’s priorities are straightforward: cut unnecessary red tape, lower the tax burden on working people, support small businesses, and make state government more transparent and accountable — by staying accessible year-round and clearly explaining his votes and decisions,” the site states.
The 171st house district, which includes areas in Centre County like Bellefonte, Centre Hall and Millheim, has been represented by Republican Kerry Benninghoff since 1997.
U.S. House of Representatives
Ray Bilger, 15th U.S. Congressional District
Bellefonte native and U.S. Air Force veteran Ray Bilger announced his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Pennsylvania’s 15th Congressional District in a Feb. 9 press release.
Bilger is a political newcomer who’s centering his campaign around bringing affordability, safety, opportunity and hope to those living in across the district. He’ll seek the Democratic nomination for the seat that’s currently held by U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Howard.
“I am running to represent the people of the 15th District because they are struggling to put food on their tables and face no health care in their communities,” Bilger stated in the release. “I grew up in Bellefonte but had to leave the area to find real opportunities. I returned three years ago and found nothing has changed for many residents, especially over the past 16 years.”
Bilger attended Bellefonte High School and after graduating, he attended Penn State, before eventually joining the military after encountering some financial troubles. Throughout his 35-year military career, Bilger served as a military intelligence specialist, a security officer and intelligence analyst and has led teams on missions in the Air Force, U.S. Department of State, National Security Association and more.
“I’m a combat veteran,” Bilger stated. “The United States government for the past forty years entrusted me to make the hard decisions and to solve hard problems. We need real leadership. I’m going to put my expertise to work here. That is the mission. We solve hard problems. We work for the people, not ourselves.”
In the release, Bilger stated that he’s running for Congress to “honor his family’s legacy” and “renew the promise of the American dream.” He also noted a want to try and retain the area’s youth, and provide more opportunities for them in years to come.
The veteran has also been a frequent attendee at many local protests, including October’s No Kings protest and several “Thompson Tuesday” protests outside of Thompson’s Bellefonte office.
Glenn “GT” Thompson, 15th U.S. Congressional District
Rep. Glenn Thompson, a Howard Republican, announced he would seek a 10th term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Serving you in the House of Representatives has been the honor of a lifetime and every challenge along the way has been met with great optimism,” Thompson said in a video announcing his reelection. “I am encouraged by my faith, family, friends and the supporters who have helped make such a difference.”
Thompson is the longest-serving member of Pennsylvania’s House delegation and has served as chair of the House Agriculture Committee since 2023. He has been a reliable vote for President Donald Trump’s second-term agenda, having voted in line with it 100% of the time, according to a liberal think tank. He recently saw his bill allowing schools to serve whole milk signed into law by Trump.
Thompson’s district, Pennsylvania’s 15th, is not viewed as competitive by political prognosticators. The Republican won his last race with nearly 72% of the vote, and has vastly outraised every Democrat he’s faced for the overwhelmingly rural seat. National Democrats ignored the 15th in 2024.
This story was originally published January 12, 2026 at 3:01 PM.
