Jay Paterno, a Democrat, has broken politically with his Republican father. Paterno's son looks at House run

Democrat Jay Paterno, the son of the late ex-Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, is considering challenging Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), according to the Patriot-News.

Paterno has been in conversations with Democratic officials to discuss a possible run for Pennsylvania’s 5th District seat, according to the newspaper, and has said that he plans to make a final decision on a campaign in around a month.


The Patriot-News also reported that Paterno has received encouragement from state Treasurer Rob McCord, a Democratic candidate for governor.

Unseating Thompson, a third-term member, won’t be easy: Mitt Romney won 56 percent of the vote in the north central Pennsylvania district. But Paterno, who served as an assistant coach under his legendary but ultimately scandal-tarred father, would enter the race with sky-high name ID.

The younger Paterno has broken politically from his father, who was a longtime Republican. Jay Paterno was an active supporter of Barack Obama in the last two presidential campaigns.

He wouldn’t be the first Paterno to run for Congress. In 2004, Paterno’s brother, Republican Scott Paterno, unsuccessfully challenged then-Democratic Rep. Tim Holden.

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2014 Elections