U.S. Rep.  Glenn Thompson, R-5th Dist., represents one seriously large district, in terms of land mass.

Congressman Glenn Thompson/File photo

I reported on that, and more, in my recent in-depth report on Thompson and U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly.

But now comes some more information about the size of Thompson’s district, courtesy of his office.

Thompson’s district stretches from his hometown of Howard Township in Centre County to Erie County, of which he represents two thirds.

The district’s total land mass is 10,711 square miles, or 23.3 percent of the state’s total land mass.

U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-10th  Dist., has the second biggest district, with 8,378 square miles. That sprawling district is in north-central and northeastern Pennsylvania.

It appears that Thompson’s 5th District is larger than the land mass of nine states: New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, Delaware, Hawaii and nearly twice the size of  Connecticut, which is 5,543 square miles.

The source of the information is an update to the 2010 Census Congressional District summary.

– John Guerriero

It’s shameless promotion time.

Tonight’s episode of the Pennsylvania Cable Network’s  ”Journalists Roundtable” will feature three Erie Times-News reporters:  Kevin Flowers,  Jim Martin and John Guerriero. Set your DVR for 8 p.m.

PCN President Brian Lockman visited Erie on Tuesday with a camera crew to tape the one-hour public affairs show and ask questions of the reporters.

The discussion included insights into Erie, GE Transportation, local politics, economic development, the municipal primary, and the two congressmen who represent Erie County, Republicans Glenn Thompson and Mike Kelly.

In case you miss tonight’s show, a rebroadcast will air  Sunday at 5 p.m.

– John Guerriero

Campaigning continues until the last minute, and that includes in Erie County.

Republican Tom Smith, who’s running against U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in Tuesday’s election, is scheduled to be at Erie County Republican Party headquarters, 2206 W. 15th St., at 5:30 p.m. today.

Tom Smith, file photo/GREG WOHLFORD

And he’ll have some company.

Also scheduled to appear are David Freed, the GOP nominee for state attorney general; U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of Butler, R-3rd Dist.; U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson of Centre County, R-5th Dist.; and U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey.

Bob Casey/File photo

Only Toomey isn’t on Tuesday’s ballot.

– John Guerriero

It’s pre-election rally time in the Erie area.

Today at 2 p.m., Erie County Democratic Party Chairman Bill Cole and former Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper of Erie will urge volunteers to attend get-out-the-vote neighborhood canvasses this weekend and discuss the importance of voting Tuesday.

Democrats also will hold a GOTV rally for President Barack Obama and other Democrats on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Perry Square gazebo.

The Minority Political Caucus will hold a line dance party as part of a GOTV effort for Obama on Saturday, from 8 p.m. to midnight, at the Martin Luther King Center, 312 Chestnut St., in the gym. You’ll be asked for a $10 donation for that event, with refreshments provided.

Not to be outdone, the  Erie County Republican Party will hold a rally tonight at Waldameer Park’s Rainbow Gardens.

That “rally before the tally” for Gov. Mitt Romney and other GOP candidates on the ticket will be from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event will feature Congressmen Mike Kelly and Glenn Thompson, among other Republican candidates. That event, too, asks for a $10 donation, with food and beverages provided.

So are you ready for Tuesday?

– John Guerriero

Door-to-door campaigning seems like a rather routine task, except when something goes wrong.

Paulette Chu, the wife of Erie County Republican Party Vice Chairman Winston Chu, M.D., was knocking on doors on behalf of the GOP recently when she slipped and fell during a rainy day.

She broke her right wrist.

Congressman Glenn Thompson/ETN file photo

U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, of Howard Township, Centre County, R-5th Dist., was the first to sign her cast, during a campaign event in Erie on Tuesday.

“Thanks for your service,” Thompson wrote before a tour at TM Filtration in Erie.

Thompson campaigned on behalf of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan.

– John Guerriero

If you don’t have reservations for the Erie County Republican Party’s spring dinner Friday night, you’re out of luck.

The event in a ballroom at the Bayfront Convention Center is sold out, said Shirley Brozell, the event’s chairwoman. About 160 tickets were sold.

The dinner will feature some heavy hitters on the GOP ballot, including U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, of Butler, R-3rd Dist., and U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, of Howard Township, Centre County, R-5th  Dist.

Other speakers will include Janet Anderson, candidate for state Senate in the 49th District; Regina Smith, candidate for state House in the 3rd District; incumbent Curt Sonney, candidate for state House in the 4th District, Greg Lucas, candidate for state House in the 5th District; Scott Hutchinson, candidate for state Senate in the 21st District; state attorney general candidate David Freed; and Jean Craige Pepper Victor, a delegate candidate.

For those with tickets, the social hour starts at 6 p.m. and the dinner begins at 7 p.m.

– John Guerriero