Ray Bilger
Ran unopposed in the May 19 Democratic primary
Ray Bilger is a Democratic candidate and former NSA Technical Director for Cyber Analysis (2015-2017) from Centre County, running to bring 'opportunity and hope back to rural PA.'[4]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Positions on the issues
- SupportsProtect legal access to abortion
Says the right to abortion should be codified in federal law and access should be available without political interference.[2]
“Every Pennsylvanian should have access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion, without political interference. Those decisions belong with a woman, her family, and her doctor—not with Congress.”
- SupportsExpand public health coverage
Supports protecting affordable insurance coverage, lowering prescription drug costs, and defending Medicare and Medicaid; criticizes Rep. Thompson for voting against extending enhanced ACA premium tax credits.[2]
“For four years, enhanced tax credits through Pennsylvania's health insurance marketplace, Pennie, helped hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians afford coverage. When Congress had the opportunity to extend those credits, Glenn Thompson voted no.”
- MixedStricter gun laws
Describes himself as a gun owner who supports the Second Amendment while also supporting background checks that keep guns away from people who pose a danger.[2]
“A gun owner and veteran can believe in the Second Amendment while also believing in common-sense gun laws.”
- MixedExpand immigration enforcement and deportations
Supports securing the border and creating legal immigration pathways, while calling for stricter accountability standards on ICE and CBP enforcement.[2]
In their words — priorities
- Says the district needs better jobs, higher quality and accessible healthcare, and improved infrastructure.[2]
- Says Congress should reclaim its constitutional authority over spending and tariffs rather than ceding it to the executive branch.[2]
- Calls for a single standard of accountability applied to ICE and CBP officers, including visible identification, adherence to use-of-force policy, and independent review of enforcement-related deaths.[2]
Background
- Born in Bellefonte and grew up in Pleasant Gap, Centre County, Pennsylvania; entered the Air Force in August 1986 as an Airborne Cryptologic Linguist.[4]
- Served in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm over a 35-year career as a security officer and intelligence analyst for the Air Force, National Security Agency, and State Department.[4]
- Served as NSA Technical Director for Cyber Analysis from 2015 to 2017.[4]
Campaign money
Raised $140K · spent $52K · $87K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗