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

A new state lawmaker from northwestern Pennsylvania will be a guest at President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.

State Sen. Scott Hutchinson, of Oil City, R-21st Dist., will be the guest of Congressman Mike Kelly tonight.

State Sen. Scott Hutchinson. Contributed photo.

Each member of Congress can invite one person to sit in the gallery in the House chamber during the president’s annual address. Kelly, of Butler, R-3rd Dist., extended the invitation to the freshman state lawmaker.

Hutchinson said in a statement that he was “pleased and honored” to get the chance to attend the address as Kelly’s guest.

“Over the years, the State of the Union Address provided a forum for the unveiling of presidential initiatives and served as the starting gate for public debate on those issues,” Hutchinson said in a statement.

“I sincerely want to thank Congressman Kelly for providing me with this unique opportunity to be a spectator this year,” he said.

– John Guerriero

With the “fiscal cliff” deadline looming, local activists and community members continue to press U.S. Mike Kelly, of Butler, R-3rd Dist., to keep tax cuts for the middle class and let them expire for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans.

Congressman Mike Kelly

They will hold what they’re calling a “holiday vigil” today at 5:30 p.m. outside of Kelly’s district offices.

Those offices are at the Intermodal Transportation Center on Erie’s east bayfront; 908 Diamond Park in Meadville; 182 Main St. in Greenville; and 108 E. Diamond St., first floor, Butler.

Since Dec. 1, this will be the fourth event at Kelly’s Erie office.

President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress have been unable to strike a deal on averting the fiscal cliff.

They have until Dec. 31 to reach an agreement that would prevent all taxpayers from seeing a raise in taxes and to stop huge spending cuts.

Republicans haven’t budged on raising tax rates for the wealthiest Americans, while Democrats are pushing back against a proposal to raise the eligibility rate for Medicare, according to the Associated Press.

– John Guerriero

While Congress and President Barack Obama continue to tackle the “fiscal cliff” concerns, a coalition of concerned citizens plans action today at noon in Erie.

Congressman Mike Kelly

Community leaders, seniors, students, working families and people with disabilities are expected to call on U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, of Butler, R-3rd Dist., and U.S. Sen Bob Casey, D-Pa., to support a deal in which the wealthy would pay a fair share in taxes and tax cuts would be extended for the middle class.

They also want to protect programs such as Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security.

The rally will be outside Kelly’s office at the Intermodal Transportation Center on Erie’s east bayfront.

A news release states that “Kelly Claus” and his eves will give out lumps of coal to represent potentially drastic cuts.

– John Guerriero

U.S.  Rep. Mike Kelly has been named to serve on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

Congressman Mike Kelly

It’s a plum assignment for Kelly, of Butler, R-3rd Dist., who was re-elected to a second term Nov. 6. The panel is the chief tax-writing committee in the House.

Former Congressman Phil English, of Erie, had served on the panel when he represented the district.

In a statement, here’s what Kelly had to say about the assignment:

“I am tremendously honored to have been selected to serve on the Ways and Means Committee. We are at a critical time in our nation’s history, with historically high debt and unemployment, and a tax code and regulatory climate that are working against our nation’s recovery.

“While our challenges are significant, we are uniquely positioned to present solutions that will spur economic growth and get Americans back to work. Under the leadership of Chairman (Dave) Camp, the Ways and Means Committee has and will continue to put forward the type of reform we need to grow our economy, and it will be a privilege to serve with him.

“I am humbled by this honor, and will work diligently to apply my decades of experience in the private sector, as both a small-business owner and job creator, to serve in the best interests of 3rd District of Pennsylvania and for the greater good of our nation.”

– 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

The Pennsylvania chapter of the Sierra Club today endorsed Democrat Missa Eaton, of Sharon, in her bid for Congress in the 3rd District. 

Missa Eaton/contributed

The district includes the city of Erie and western Erie County.

Eaton is running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, and Independent Steven Porter, of Wattsburg.

“The Sierra Club is confident that Missa Eaton will be a champion in the fight to protect the health and well-being of Pennsylvania families,” Al Richardson, political chairman of the chapter’s Lake Erie Group, said in a statement.

Eaton said in a statement that she is honored to gain the endorsement.

– John Guerriero

The National Women’s Political Caucus has endorsed Democrat Missa Eaton for Congress in the 3rd District.

The NWPC says on its website that it is a multipartisan, grassroots group with chapters in 38 states. The NWPC says it was the first, and remains the only, multipartisan membership organization that supports pro-choice women candidates for elected and appointed office.

Missa Eaton/contributed

Eaton said in a statement that she is “thrilled” to be endorsed by the caucus.

“Our friends and neighbors deserve real representation in Washington from someone who understands and simply gets it.  We need solutions now, not partisan posturing,” Eaton said.

Citing statistics from the Center for American Women and Politics, a news release from Eaton said that this year, the U.S. House of Representatives has 73 congresswomen, making up 16.8% of the chamber. Yet the 2010 Census shows that women make up 50.8% of the U.S. population.

Donna Lent, the group’s vice president of political planning, said in a statement that Eaton is “committed to giving a voice to those who are underrepresented in politics. We need more women like Missa to engage in the fight.”

Eaton, of Sharon, is an assistant psychology professor at Penn State Shenango.

In the Nov. 6 election, she will face U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, of Butler, R-3rd Dist., who is seeking a second term. Also expected to be on the ballot are Independents Stacey Gray and Steven Porter.

– John Guerriero