Candidate Profiles

Republican

Glenn Thompson

Democrat

Mark McCracken

Libertarian

James Fryman

Voter Resources

General Election News

Events
TV
Radio
Web
Blog

Public Discussion - Monday April 7

Come to the WPSU studios on Thursday, October 23 at 8 p.m. for a live debate with candidates running for the 5th Congressional District.

Race for the 5th: A Grange Fair Forum
Thursday, September 4 at 7 p.m.
Live television debate
Thursday, October 23 at 8 p.m.

Take Note Radio
Thursday, September 4 at 7 p.m.
Live radio debate
Thursday, September 25 at 7 p.m.
Live radio debate
Thursday, October 30 at 7 p.m.
Check in with WPSU for additional politics features.

Check back soon for:

Interviews with 5th District candidates
Interviews with State House and Senate candidates
Interviews with candidates running for Attorney General, Auditor General, and Treasure

Take the quiz

Disclaimer: This is a nonscientific quiz. It is designed to serve as a starting point in learning more about the candidates. Please choose the answer that you most strongly support. The available answers are not intended to encompass comprehensive policy solutions or the full range of possible options. This quiz does not include responses from James Fryman, who recently entered the race. A new quiz will be available in the coming weeks. The answers include only the responses chosen or provided by the candidates. Quiz FAQ.

1. Illegal Immigrants

1. What do you think is the single most important action for dealing with illegal immigrants already in the United States?

A. Find them and send them to their country of origin.
B. Offer them a path to citizenship once they have paid a fine and any back taxes.
C. I do not agree with any of the candidates' responses.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all Somewhat Very

2. Universal Health Care

Do you favor or oppose adoption of universal health care in America? If so, who should bear the majority of the cost?

A. Employers.
B. I oppose universal health care.
C. I do not agree with any of the candidates' responses.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all Somewhat Very

3. Pennsylvania Brain Drain

According to a 2003 report by the Brookings Institution, Pennsylvania ranked number #1 in the United States for absolute loss of young workers from 1990 to 2000. Which of the following ideas do you think holds the most potential to help stem the outgoing tide of promising youth?

A. Increase incentives to attract businesses to the state, such as the Keystone Innovation Zones that were set up in the state four years ago.
B. I do not agree with any of the candidates' responses.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all Somewhat Very

4. Campaign Finance Reform

Campaign finance reform attempts to limit the influence of money on American political campaigns. In 2002, Congress passed legislation requiring candidates to disclose sources of campaign contributions and how the money is spent, and regulated the use of "soft money" contributions. Which of the following approaches do you think would most effectively advance campaign finance reform?

A. I favor the "clean money" approach, giving each candidate a set amount of public money--the system currently in use in Maine and Arizona.
B. Campaign contributions should not be regulated.
C. I do not agree with any of the candidates' responses.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all Somewhat Very

5. Iraq

How long should U.S. troops remain in Iraq?

A. There should be a timetable for the removal of U.S. troops.
B. I believe we should stay in Iraq for as long as we are making progress toward the goals of the Iraqi government taking over, and the Iraqi army providing adequate security.
C. I do not agree with any of the candidates' responses.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all Somewhat Very

6. Climate Change

What would be the best way for the federal government to respond to global climate change?

A. Global climate change is happening, but because we do not fully understand what's fueling it, it would be imprudent to act.
B. I do not agree with any of the candidates' responses.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all Somewhat Very

7. Energy Independence

Should the federal government have a role in promoting energy independence for the United States? If so, which of the following approaches do you most strongly support?

A. Focus on extracting existing fossil fuels from American territories.
B. Congress should support alternative energy research, such as clean-coal and ethanol projects, and also promote nuclear power and conservation.
C. I do not agree with any of the candidates' responses.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all Somewhat Very

8. No Child Left Behind

Since the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law took effect in 2002, it has had a sweeping impact on U.S. public school classrooms. It affects what students are taught, the tests they take, teacher training, and the way money is spent on education. Is NCLB an effective way to improve academic achievement?

A. NCLB is failing to close the achievement gap, won't make its 2014 goals, and has not significantly improved reading and math achievement. The law should be scrapped.
B. I do not agree with any of the candidates' responses.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all Somewhat Very

9. Transportation Funding

Given the pending insolvency of the Federal Highway Trust Fund in 2009 and the opposition to Act 44 funding mechanisms for roadways and transit, Pennsylvania will need to allocate funds to address its transportation, transit, and infrastructure problems. Which one of the following revenue sources holds the most promise for funding Pennsylvania's transportation needs?

A. Lease roads to private entities and abolish the Turnpike Commission.
B. The current funding is appropriate.
C. I do not agree with any of the candidates' responses.

Is this issue important to you?

Not at all Somewhat Very