CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Fred Upton (R) | 159,373 | 68% |
| James Bupp (D) | 68,532 | 29% |
| William Bradley (LIBERT) | 3,573 | 2% |
| Richard M. Overton (REF) | 1,872 | 1% |
| Dennis C. James (USTAX) | 1,290 | 1% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: AUGUST 8, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| James Bupp | 6,386 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| Fred Upton | 45,192 | 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 6
:
Southwest - Kalamazoo; Benton Harbor; St. Joseph
Lush forests in Michigan's southwest corner make the 6th a prime spot
for tourists and orchards. Cherries and peaches grow in the fruit belt that
extends north from Benton Harbor - once a stop on the Underground Railroad -
and St. Joseph through Van Buren County. Many affluent Chicagoans keep
second homes in the wooded area along the Lake Michigan shoreline, which has
become known as "Harbor County."
Kalamazoo, the 6th's most populous city by far, has a strong and diverse
manufacturing economy. Cities throughout the district have escaped
dependence on Detroit's auto-maker economy. Both home appliance-manufacturer
Whirlpool Corp. and pharmaceutical-maker Pharmacia & Upjohn built their
world headquarters in the district. Education is another economic pillar,
led by Western Michigan U.'s 20,000 students.
Kalamazoo's blue-collar workforce makes it one of the few Democratic
parts of the 6th. But the city's voters are no match for the Republican
influences in the district - Kalamazoo's conservative Dutch heritage,
white-collar corporate managers and rural conservatives. All combine to make
the 6th a moderate-to-conservative district. Republicans still easily win
local elections, but, like most of the state, the district voted for Clinton
by a small margin in 1992 and '96.
Major Industry
Manufacturing, higher education, agriculture
Population
580,973 (1990)
Cities
Kalamazoo, 77,460; Portage, 43,317 (1996)
People
42% urban, 51% rural; 12% age 65+ (ranks ninth of 16 in state; middle third
nationally); 57% married couples, 26% married couples with children; 19%
college educated (ranks fifth of 16 in state; middle third nationally); 53%
white collar (ranks ninth of 16 in state; middle third nationally), 31% blue
collar (ranks seventh of 16 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
88% white, 10% black, 1% Asian; 2% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$28,453 (ranks 11 of 16 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
First outdoor pedestrian shopping mall in the United States built in
Kalamazoo in 1959.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 6
