Penn State graduate Michael Pipe informed Onward State that on Sunday he will be officially announcing his intent to run for Pennsylvania’s 5th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Rep. Glenn Thompson, a Republican.

Pipe has a steep hill ahead of him however, as he is running as a Democrat in a district that has been notoriously known for its conservative tendencies. Thompson has yet to officially announce his run for re-election, but it can be assumed that he will soon do so, according to an article on GoErie.com.

Pipe is 24 years old, quite young for a Representative, but Pipe is no political newcomer. In 2004, he was active at Penn State in getting students to the polls to vote, and in 2008, he was a part of President Obama’s staff and traveled across the country with the campaign.

In a video he recorded, Pipe portrays himself as a recent college graduate that personally understands the issues that the public faces now. Pipe works at a fast food restaurant to help pay for his health insurance and some $30,000 in student loans. He recently graduated from Penn State with a degree in Political Science, and currently lives in State College with his fiance, Ashley.

It might be nice to have someone in Congress who hasn’t yet sold his soul to politics, but predictions at this time are impossible. It isn’t known exactly how many other candidates from the Democratic, Republican, and even Libertarian parties will announce their run. If Thompson decides to run for reelection, he has to be considered the favorite to win, but Pipe’s entry into the field could appeal to Penn State students and make the race a competitive one.

You can find out more info about Pipe at his Facebook page.