CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Michael Bilirakis (R) | 210,318 | 82% |
| Jon Scott Duffey (REF) | 46,474 | 18% |
| write-in | 2 | 0% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Republican |
| Michael Bilirakis | Unopposed |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
FLORIDA 9
:
West - Northern Pinellas and Hillsborough counties; central Pasco County;
Clearwater
Suburban and rural areas north of Tampa and St. Petersburg form the bulk
of the 9th, which encompasses northern Pinellas and Hillsborough and central
Pasco counties. A 1992 redistricting stripped the district of coastal Pasco,
but the Republican Party still has an edge because of its dominance in the
communities around Clearwater. The 9th has long been a home for mostly
Republican retirees, but Democrats have done well in Pasco County.
The 9th is now an older, mostly residential area. Clearwater, the
largest city, is best known as a beach resort and the home of Scientology,
with which the city maintains an uneasy relationship. Palm Harbor and Tarpon
Springs have many Greek Orthodox residents, descendants of the area's
earliest settlers.
The 9th's economy is driven by tourism, and many residents commute to
Tampa and St. Petersburg. Service-oriented industries add to the mix, but
the predominance of shopping centers and strip malls has created growth
problems in the coastal areas. The 9th's economy has grown along with its
population, although its northeast portions have lagged behind the
Clearwater area. The Hillsborough County portion of the district is mostly
suburban. Inland Pasco County, which is bisected by Interstate 75, lacks
major industry, although it has several sources of spring water.
Major Industry
Tourism, health care, technology
Population
562,814 (1990)
Cities
Clearwater (pt.), 96,886; Palm Harbor, 50,256 (1990); Dunedin, 34,797 (1997)
People
78% urban; 22% age 65+ (ranks eighth of 23 in state; top third nationally);
60% married couples, 21% married couples with children; 20% college educated
(ranks seventh of 23 in state; middle third nationally); 65% white collar
(ranks fifth of 23 in state; top third nationally), 20% blue collar (ranks
20 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Race
95% white, 3% black, 1% Asian; 4% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$29,293 (ranks 11 of 23 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Tarpon Springs' waters were a major source of sea sponges before red tides
killed them during the 1940s; Clearwater, site of the first Eckerd Drug
Store, founded by Jack Eckerd, who once ran for governor.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 9
