CQ Risk Rating: Republican Favored 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Dave Weldon (R) | 176,189 | 59% |
| Patsy Ann Kurth (D) | 117,511 | 39% |
| Gerry Newby (I) | 5,744 | 2% |
| write-in | 1 | 0% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Patsy Ann Kurth | Unopposed |
| | Republican |
| Dave Weldon | Unopposed |
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
FLORIDA 15
:
Central - Brevard, Osceola and Indian River counties; Palm Bay
The 15th is dominated by Florida's Space Coast, home to space shuttle
launches and numerous NASA employees and retirees. Most of the population
lives along the Atlantic Coast between Titusville and Vero Beach, although
the 15th also contains most of inland Osceola County, except Kissimmee, its
largest city. A sliver of northeast Polk County and most of Indian River
County round out the 15th.
Republicans have a solid voter registration advantage in the 15th. The
coastal areas, especially upscale Merritt Island and Vero Beach, hold some
of the strongest GOP contingents in the state. Still, the surest way to be
elected is to promote the space industry, something members of both parties
have done.
Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center and Patrick Air Force Base are
the economic engines for the district and help to insulate it from
downturns. But when NASA spending falls, the impact can be dramatic. A
growing high-tech industry has set up around the space operations and
attracts engineers to Brevard County. The area's other attraction is its
waterfront. Most cities in 15th have seen steady growth and a Disney
vacation complex near Vero Beach is helping to change that sleepy town into
a high-profile resort.
Major Industry
Aerospace, tourism, agriculture
Military Bases
Patrick Air Force Base, 3,185 military, 1,331 civilian (1997)
Population
562,542 (1990)
Cities
Palm Bay, 74,982; Melbourne, 67,631; Titusville, 41,543 (1997)
People
76% urban; 19% age 65+ (ranks ninth of 23 in state; top third nationally);
61% married couples, 22% married couples with children; 19% college educated
(ranks ninth of 23 in state; middle third nationally); 59% white collar
(ranks 13 of 23 in state; middle third nationally), 24% blue collar (ranks
eighth of 23 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
90% white, 8% black, 1% Asian; 3% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$29,755 (ranks eighth of 23 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge has more endangered species than
any other in the nation; More than 50 companies have searched for silver and
gold lost when the Spanish Plate Fleet sank off Sebastian Inlet in 1715.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 15
