CQ Risk Rating: Safe Democrat 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Karen L. Thurman (D) | 180,338 | 64% |
| Peter C.K. "Pete" Enwall (R) | 100,244 | 36% |
| write-in | 16 | 0% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Karen L. Thurman | Unopposed |
| | Republican |
| Peter C.K. "Pete" Enwall | 19,405 | 51% |
| James H. King | 18,375 | 49% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
FLORIDA 5
:
Northern West Coast - Gainesville; Spring Hill
The 5th extends through much of North Central Florida, touching Lake
City in the north and the Gulf Coast beaches of Pasco County to the south.
The district takes in Gainesville (Alachua County), home of the state's
largest university, and Hernando County, one of the state's fastest-growing.
The other areas feature a mix of newer retirement developments and old
Florida towns trying to attract tourism. A combination of ideologies, ages
and incomes, the 5th leans Democratic but became more competitive in the
1990s.
Although Democrats hold a sizable advantage in voter registration,
mostly thanks to Gainesville's academic community, Republicans are making
inroads at the local and state levels. The retirement strongholds around New
Port Richey and Spring Hill consistently deliver GOP votes, and some
Democrats native to the area count themselves as conservatives.
The U. of Florida and surrounding hospitals provide much of the economic
activity for the 5th, which generally benefited from a strong economy during
the 1990s. Although a motivated populace often has fought development, the
southern areas of the district have seen a spark of home-building since the
1980s as more retirees come to the area. Most of Pasco County's population
lives in the 5th, which roughly follows U.S. Route 19 north from Holiday to
Hernando County.
Major Industry
Education, health care, agriculture
Population
562,926 (1990)
Cities
Gainesville (pt.), 68,298; Spring Hill (unincorporated), 31,117 (1990)
People
53% urban; 25% age 65+ (ranks sixth of 23 in state; top third nationally);
57% married couples, 17% married couples with children; 16% college educated
(ranks 18 of 23 in state; middle third nationally); 59% white collar (ranks
13 of 23 in state; middle third nationally), 22% blue collar (ranks 15 of 23
in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Race
90% white, 8% black, 1% Asian; 3% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$21,434 (ranks 22 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Researchers at the U. of Florida developed the sports drink Gatorade during
the 1960s; Since 1947, tourists have watched "mermaids" perform underwater
at the Hernando County resort of Weeki Wachee.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 5
