CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Vernon J. Ehlers (R) | 179,539 | 65% |
| Tim Steele (D) | 91,309 | 33% |
| Erwin J. Haas (LIBERT) | 2,403 | 1% |
| Tom Grego (USTAX) | 1,093 | 0% |
| Kenneth L. Lowndes (REF) | 1,053 | 0% |
| Jerry Berta (NL) | 866 | 0% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: AUGUST 8, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Tim Steele | 10,743 | 73% |
| Gregory A. Frushour | 3,877 | 27% |
| | Republican |
| Vernon J. Ehlers | 59,202 | 100% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
MICHIGAN 3
:
West Central - Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids, Michigan's second-largest city, teems with auto plants and
metals manufacturing, but it's a world away from Detroit. Conservative Dutch
Republicans - not auto union Democrats - control the district, making the
3rd one of Michigan's most Republican regions. Its staunch conservatism is
rivaled only by the neighboring 2nd District, based in Holland.
Also unlike Detroit, Grand Rapids has escaped complete dependence on the
auto industry. The city is a leading producer of metal office furniture, in
addition to making avionics systems, tools and home appliances. The city's
economy prospered in the 1970s when modular furniture became popular, but it
then suffered in the early 1990s when companies began to downsize their
managerial staffs and cut back on office space. In a major effort to
revitalize downtown Grand Rapids, the city built a new arena and recruited
three minor league sports teams.
Gerald R. Ford made his way to the House and then the presidency from
Grand Rapids, and his brand of small-government Republicanism and fiscal
restraint still holds sway in the 3rd. One of the district's largest
employers, Amway Corp., consistently contributes to Republicans around the
nation. This direct sales company, which markets personal- and home-care
products, promotes its philosophy of private philanthropy by donating
generously to Grand Rapids' universities, hospitals and churches.
Major Industry
Office furniture, auto parts, metals manufacturing
Population
580,874 (1990)
Cities
Grand Rapids, 188,242; Wyoming, 66,571; Kentwood, 41,816 (1996)
People
69% urban, 25% rural; 11% age 65+ (ranks 13 of 16 in state; bottom third
nationally); 59% married couples, 30% married couples with children; 19%
college educated (ranks fifth of 16 in state; middle third nationally); 54%
white collar (ranks seventh of 16 in state; middle third nationally), 31%
blue collar (ranks seventh of 16 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
90% white, 7% black, 1% Asian; 3% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$31,917 (ranks eighth of 16 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Norton Mound Group, one of the best preserved burial centers of Hopewell
culture, which originated in Illinois and moved into Michigan some time
between 500 and 300 B.C.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 3
