Derek Walker

In the closing days of the primary campaign, Derek Walker loaned himself $191,000 and Matt Shaner loaned himself $400,000.

While Glenn Thompson's report was not available on the FEC website, it's reported that he raised only $18,000 – not a lot for the chairman of the county Republican Party. Jeffrey Stroehmann refused to discuss his spending when prompted by CentreDaily, but disclosed a $20,000 personal loan to his campaign to the FEC.

What's noteworthy about the spending patterns is the degree to which the top Republican money-raisers relied on self-finance, but ended up splitting the vote.

Glenn Thompson won a narrow victory in last night’s Congressional District 5 Republican primary. He got 19.4 percent of the vote, in comparison to Derek Walker’s 17.7 percent and Matt Shaner's 17.5 percent and Jeffrey Stroehmann's 13.7 percent, according to the Department of State’s website.

“Since day one in my bid for the Republican nomination, I have run an issue oriented, positive, grassroots campaign,” said Thompson. “My motto of ‘People above Politics’ will remain the key focus of the campaign as we begin the long journey toward the November general election.”

Thompson will take on Mark McCracken (D) in the general to fill the seat of retiring Rep. John Peterson (R).

PA-05 is about as solid a Republican district as you can get. George W. Bush beat John Kerry with 61% of the vote. With John Peterson retiring it was assumed that the winner of the Republican Primary election would be the next Congressman from the 5th district.

After District 5 Republican Congressional candidate Derek Walker was charged with stalking his ex-girlfriend and burglarizing her house, new details of the case are being reported across the state.  read more »

Republican U.S. House candidate Derek Walker’s former girlfriend came forward Thursday afternoon denying charges that the 5th district congressional hopeful had stalked her.

"Derek Walker and I dated for seven years. As with many long-term relationships, our breakup was very difficult and emotional. However rumors are being circulated about what happened between Derek Walker and me and are now being used for political gain,” the woman, Kathleen Ferry, said in a statement.

“Derek Walker and I ended our relationship in June. My family and I wish Derek the best on Election Day. Anyone who would spread such blatantly false rumors five days before an election is clearly politically motivated. Not only should they immediately stop spreading these rumors but they should also step forward and offer Derek Walker and me a public apology," Ferry added.

Fifth district Republican Congressional candidate Derek Walker says that the burglary and stalking charges against him are false.

"These charges are false. The entire matter is politically motivated -- any thinking citizen in our area understands that charges of this nature brought 5 days before an election are clearly motivated by politics,” Walker said in a statement.

“ I have never had a conservation or been questioned by the DA or any representative from his office. I am confident that the residents of our region will see this entire matter for what it is -- politics at its worst."

ALSO on PolitickerPA.com:

• Walker's ex-girlfriend denies accuracy of stalking charges
• Walker charged with stalking charges days before the primary

Just days before his primary election against Matt Shaner and 9 others, Derek Walker has been charged with stalking and burglary.  More here

As the Republican primary in Congressional District 5 heats up and rivals Matt Shaner and Derek Walker pour money into attack advertisements aimed at each other, fellow Republican candidate Keith Richardson is trying to use the fight to gain some attention for himself.

In a statement blasted out to reporters covering the race, Richardson today called on Walker and Shaner to pull down their advertisements. In doing so, Richardson seemed to subtly suggest that he is the candidate of sufficient stature for the seat.

PA’s 5^th CD Republican primary is turning ugly. Both Matt Shaner and Derek Walker are dumping their vast personal funds into the race, and its turning ugly. Here are the two latest attack ads on both fronts. Inside Edge has also been told it could turn even nastier in the coming weeks

Republican Derek Walker, running for Congress in District 5, has received the endorsement of Former Congressman Bill Clinger, who represented the district from 1978-1997.

"I believe that Derek Walker is that candidate and I am pleased to wholeheartedly endorse him for the position as your next congressman. He has solid conservative principles and a deep understanding of the District's problems and its promise as well as its people. He has the ‘right stuff’ to effectively represent our rural conservative values," said Clinger.

Walker is one of 10 Republicans running for the seat of departing Republican U.S. Rep. John Peterson.