CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Steve Buyer (R) | 132,051 | 61% |
| Greg Goodnight (D) | 81,427 | 38% |
| Scott Benson (LIBERT) | 3,507 | 2% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MAY 2, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Greg Goodnight | 12,765 | 59% |
| R. McAlister Ellis Jr. | 3,509 | 16% |
| John Armold | 3,359 | 16% |
| Hugh P. Salisbury | 2,012 | 9% |
| | Republican |
| Steve Buyer | 43,293 | 100% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
INDIANA 5
:
Northern Rural - Kokomo
Occupying most of the northwestern quadrant of the state, an area that
calls itself the "Hoosier Heartland," the largely rural 5th is supported
chiefly by auto parts manufacturing in its cities and soybean, corn and hog
farming in its countryside. At the district's southwestern extreme, the
terrain turns to coal mining and becomes heavily Democratic. Although the
district has a relatively high percentage of blue-collar workers, it tends
to favor Republicans for federal office.
Economic downturns in the early 1980s caused problems in the district's
smaller, industrial cities. Kokomo, as the site where gasoline-powered cars
and stainless steel were invented, has become known as a site for
manufacturing innovation. The auto industry and other manufacturing still
drive the city's economy, but the mid-1990s closure of Grissom Air Force
Base near Kokomo presented some challenges. The district steadied as Grissom
was converted to a combination reserve base, air refueling depot, prison and
private office complex. Chrysler also sank $1 billion into its Kokomo
facility in the mid-1990s.
The 5th's residents are willing to vote a split ticket but are rooted in
Midwestern conservatism. Democrats receive most of their support in local
and state races. Working-class communities in Logansport, Wabash and Kokomo
and mining towns in Vermillion County, on the Illinois border, provide
consistent Democratic support.
Major Industry
Auto parts manufacturing, agriculture
Population
554,240 (1990)
Cities
Kokomo, 45,785; Logansport, 16,254; Marion, 29,964 (1996)
People
58% rural; 13% age 65+ (ranks third of 10 in state; middle third
nationally); 64% married couples, 30% married couples with children; 11%
college educated (ranks ninth of 10 in state; bottom third nationally); 43%
white collar (ranks 10 of 10 in state; bottom third nationally), 40% blue
collar (ranks first of 10 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
97% white, 2% black, 0% Asian; 1% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$27,893 (ranks sixth of 10 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Cole Porter born in Peru; Kokomo claims the world's largest steer -
4,700-pound Old Ben; James Dean Memorial Gallery in his hometown of
Fairmount; Circus Hall of Fame in Peru.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
Front | Political News | Elections | The Issues | Federal Page | Polls
Columns - Cartoons | Live Online | Online Extras | Photo Galleries | Video - Audio
|
District 5
