CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Mary Bono (R) | 123,738 | 59% |
| Ron Oden (D) | 79,302 | 38% |
| Gene Smith (REF) | 4,135 | 2% |
| Jim Meuer (NL) | 2,012 | 1% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 7, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Ron Oden | 20,079 | 14% |
| Tom Harney | 13,170 | 9% |
| Jon Gordon | 9,765 | 7% |
| Doug Wofford | 6,124 | 4% |
| | Natural Law |
| Jim Meuer | 764 | 1% |
| | Republican |
| Mary Bono | 79,365 | 56% |
| Bud Mathewson | 9,800 | 7% |
| | Reform |
| Gene Smith | 1,628 | 1% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industries | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
CALIFORNIA 44
:
Eastern Riverside County
Ritzy desert resorts and large, irrigated farms fueled a growing economy
in the area known as California's Inland Empire during the 1990s. The 44th's
population base is split into two regions: the upscale, resort-filled
Coachella Valley to the east, and Hemet and the rapidly growing Los Angeles
Basin and Riverside bedroom communities in Moreno Valley to the west.
Although the 44th is a reliably Republican district, pockets in Rancho
Mirage and Palm Springs tend to vote Democratic. Once known as playgrounds
for the rich and retired, the resorts have seen a massive influx of younger,
middle-class families. Still, the 44th has the highest percentage of senior
citizens in California.
The Salton Sea - the largest man-made body of water in California, which
sits between Palm Springs and the Mexican border - attracted attention in
the 1990s as one of the nation's most polluted waterways. Congress voted in
1998 to fund a cleanup effort in honor of the late Rep. Sonny Bono, who
represented the 44th from 1994 until his death in January 1998.
Major Industries
Tourism, agriculture, manufacturing
Population
571,843 (1990)
Cities
Moreno Valley (pt.), 111,488 (1990); Hemet, 65,468; Indio, 43,780; Palm
Springs, 42,000 (1998 est.)
People
69% urban; 18% age 65+ (ranks first of 52 in state; top third nationally);
58% married couples, 25% married couples with children; 13% college educated
(ranks 43 of 52 in state; bottom third nationally); 52% white collar (ranks
41 of 52 in state; bottom third nationally), 26% blue collar (ranks 18 of 52
in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
77% white, 5% black, 3% Asian; 28% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$29,049 (ranks 43 of 52 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Palm Springs known as the Golf Capital of the world; Presidents Gerald R.
Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower retired to Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert
respectively; Coachella Valley is the nation's top date producer.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 44
