CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Duncan Hunter (R) | 131,345 | 65% |
| Craig B. Barkacs (D) | 63,537 | 31% |
| Michael Benoit (LIBERT) | 5,995 | 3% |
| Robert Sherman (NL) | 2,117 | 1% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 7, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Craig B. Barkacs | 36,715 | 25% |
| | Libertarian |
| Michael Benoit | 4,408 | 3% |
| | Natural Law |
| Robert Sherman | 1,455 | 1% |
| | Republican |
| Duncan Hunter | 103,667 | 71% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Military Bases | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
CALIFORNIA 52
:
Inland San Diego and Imperial counties
The 52nd is located in the state's far southeastern corner, which
borders Mexico and Arizona. It includes agricultural Imperial County and
about half of suburban San Diego County, about 10 miles east of San Diego.
The population includes a mix of blue- and white-collar employees who vote
predominantly Republican. San Diego's large military and defense-related
workforce also contributes to the district's conservative personality.
The bulk of the district's San Diego County residents are in three
suburban cities on the western edge of the 52nd: El Cajon, the largest of
the three, La Mesa and Spring Valley. Economically, La Mesa is a bit better
off than the other two, and votes a bit more Democratic, though heavily
Republican San Diego continues to make the 52nd a GOP stronghold.
Border issues, particularly illegal immigration, drugs and wastewater
treatment, are key with constituents. In the district's agricultural area,
east of El Centro, irrigation is an issue for wheat growers and other
farmers, who produce nearly $1 billion in crops annually and depend on the
Colorado River. San Diego imports about 90 percent of its water.
After years of slow economic growth, the late 1990s marked a
turn-around, particularly in the city of El Cajon, where property values and
home sales rose dramatically. Three casinos also have helped some of the
52nd's dozen Indian reservations.
Major Industry
Technology, manufacturing, agriculture
Military Bases
El Centro Naval Air Facility, 300 military, 300 civilian (1998)
Population
573,355 (1990)
Cities
El Cajon, 94,490; La Mesa, 57,973; Santee, 56,538; (1998); Spring Valley
(pt.), 51,197 (1990)
People
69% rural; 11% age 65+ (ranks 23 of 52 in state; bottom third nationally);
58% married couples, 29% married couples with children; 17% college educated
(ranks 34 of 52 in state; middle third nationally); 59% white collar (ranks
28 of 52 in state; middle third nationally), 25% blue collar (ranks 22 of 52
in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
84% white, 3% black, 3% Asian; 22% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$33,046 (ranks 30 of 52 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Salton Sea, state's largest man-made water body (shared with 44th); Glamis
Sand Dunes.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 52
