Ray
Bilger
Democratic challenger for PA's 15th Congressional District; retired intelligence analyst and Air Force veteran
- sources
- 9
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 2
Background
Ray Bilger is the Democratic candidate challenging Republican incumbent Glenn Thompson in Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election. He was born in Bellefonte and grew up in Pleasant Gap, PA, and lives in State College. He has never held elected office. 615
Bilger served in the U.S. Air Force beginning in August 1986 as an Airborne Cryptologic Linguist, participating in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. His campaign biography describes a 35-year career as a security officer and intelligence analyst for the Air Force, the National Security Agency, and the State Department, including a role as NSA Technical Director for Cyber Analysis from 2015 to 2017. The Centre Daily Times lists him as retired. 914
His educational background is listed differently across sources: the Centre Daily Times voter guide cites a B.A. from the University of Maryland Global Campus and an A.A.S. from the Community College of the Air Force, while his LinkedIn profile lists a B.A. in Fine and Studio Arts from Penn State and an A.S. from the Community College of the Air Force. 19
Bilger announced his congressional run in February 2026 and won the Democratic primary to face Thompson in the November 3, 2026 general election. 613
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 15, Pennsylvania
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Website
- bilgerforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11newsCentre Daily Times voters' guide publishes Bilger's questionnaire responses
A Centre Daily Times voters' guide included Bilger's answers on key issues. He cited affordability as a district-wide problem, called for Congress to reclaim budgetary and tariff authority from the executive branch, described Congress as a co-equal branch requiring apolitical oversight, and argued for more affordable and accessible health care with an emphasis on rural access.
Voters guide: Glenn Thompson, Ray Bilger face off in PA's 15th Congressional District - NewsBreak · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsC-NET interviews Bilger and Thompson on key district issues
StateCollege.com published its guide to the PA-15 race, noting that C-NET interviewed both Bilger and Thompson on topics including affordability, tariffs, data-center development, election administration, the Iran war, Medicaid cuts, immigration enforcement and 2027 priorities.
Election 2026: PA 15th Congressional District | State College, PA · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30debateBilger participates in League of Women Voters of Centre County candidates' night
Bilger was scheduled to take part in the League of Women Voters of Centre County's candidates' night forum. Incumbent Glenn Thompson had declined to participate. The format allowed 60 seconds per answer to six questions and a 90-second closing statement.
Political candidates to respond at local forum · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28newsBilger calls for War Powers Resolution to end U.S. military involvement in Iran
A statement on Bilger's campaign website called for a War Powers Resolution to rein in what he described as 'Trump's war in Iran,' stating: 'We must support a War Powers Resolution now to rein in Trump's war in Iran.'
Raymond Allen Bilger · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 17endorsementCWA District 2-13 lists Bilger as AFL-CIO endorsed in PA-15
A CWA District 2-13 election-endorsements page listed 'PA15- Ray Bilger- AFL endorsed,' indicating AFL-CIO backing for his congressional campaign.
2026 Pennsylvania Election Endorsements · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 17newsBilger calls for meticulous oversight of surveillance cameras at Ferguson Township meeting
At a Ferguson Township discussion about automated license-plate-reader (Flock) cameras, Bilger said oversight of the technology was weak and that it required 'very, very meticulous oversight,' while acknowledging it could have good uses 'if used properly.'
Ferguson Township Supervisors Mull Options to Restrict Flock Cameras · Sep 17, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16endorsementThe Steady State endorses Ray Bilger for PA's 15th Congressional District
The Steady State, a group of former national-security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law-enforcement and homeland-security officials, announced its endorsement of Bilger in his challenge against Republican incumbent Glenn Thompson.
Ray Bilger for Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- PA Separatist otherListed under an 'Endorsements' heading on Bilger's campaign website with no explanatory endorsement statement or date. bilgerforcongress.com
- The Steady State organizationPolitical/national-security advocacy organization with more than 420 former national-security, intelligence, diplomatic, military, law-enforcement, and homeland-security officials. Executive Director Steven Cash said, "Ray Bilger has earned this endorsement." steadystate1.substack.com · Sep 16, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $140K
- Spent
- $52K
- Cash on hand
- $87K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6PA15181(opens in a new tab)
Sources 9
- [1] Voters guide: Glenn Thompson, Ray Bilger face off in PA's 15th Congressional District - NewsBreak(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Raymond Allen Bilger(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] Election 2026: PA 15th Congressional District | State College, PA(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [4] Priorities(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [5] Ray Bilger for Congress | PA-15(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [6] Political candidates to respond at local forum(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [7] 2026 Pennsylvania Election Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [8] Ferguson Township Supervisors Mull Options to Restrict Flock Cameras(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [9] Ray Bilger for Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026