U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) announced on Dec. 5 that he had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will undergo treatment.
In a statement on X, the Pennsylvania Republican noted that he received the diagnosis after a routine physical and subsequent tests.
“While this diagnosis is a surprise, I feel well, and I will continue my work representing the people of Pennsylvania’s 15th District,” he wrote.
“Anyone who’s worked with me knows I am a person of faith as well as an eternal optimist, both of which will guide me as I undergo treatment,” he added. “I am grateful to my medical team, my family, [and] everyone I work with and represent in Congress.”
The 64-year-old politician said he will “tackle this head on” and appreciates both prayers and privacy during this time.
Mr. Thompson was first elected to Congress in 2008 to represent Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District. In 2018, he was redistricted to the 15th Congressional District after the state’s Supreme Court redrew the congressional district map right before the 2018 primary election.
In 2017, the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, with the support of Fair Districts PA, challenged the state’s existing congressional map, saying it was too gerrymandered to be fair and violated the state constitution.
Although that map was not due to be redrawn, the state’s Supreme Court released a new congressional map that changed the power in some districts, including the district represented by Mr. Thompson.
During last year’s midterms, the Republican incumbent handily defeated the Democrat nominee, Lewisburg Borough Council Member Michael Molesevich, with 70 percent of the vote.
Since 2023, he has chaired the House Agriculture Committee and is also a senior member of the House Education and Workforce Committee.
The state’s 15th District, home to nearly 760,000 people, is Pennsylvania’s largest by geographic area, covering parts of central and western Pennsylvania.
Fellow members of Congress, including Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), wished the congressman well on X after he revealed the diagnosis.
“Praying for your swift recovery,” Mr. Bishop wrote in a reply to the post.
Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) was also among those who shared well-wishes in response to Mr. Thompson’s announcement.
“Sending you strength, courage, and best wishes for a speedy recovery, Mr. Chairman,” she wrote.
Earlier this year, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) announced that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Mr. Casey underwent successful surgery one month later.
