CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Nick Smith (R) | 147,369 | 61% |
| Jennie Crittendon (D) | 86,080 | 36% |
| Perry Spencer (REF) | 2,359 | 1% |
| Robert F. Broda Jr. (LIBERT) | 2,158 | 1% |
| Steve Cousino (USTAX) | 1,878 | 1% |
| Gail A. Petrosoff (NL) | 1,159 | 0% |
| write-in | 7 | 0% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: AUGUST 8, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Jennie Crittendon | 8,406 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| Nick Smith | 37,729 | 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 7
:
South central - Battle Creek; Jackson
The southern Michigan counties that make up the 7th take in small towns,
farming communities and a few mid-size cities. Kellogg's Tony the Tiger
makes his home in Battle Creek, the district's largest city, which has been
dubbed "Cereal City." The cereal giant is not only one of the city's largest
employers, but it also maintains one of the nation's top philanthropic
organizations, donating some gifts to the Battle Creek area.
Outside Battle Creek, auto parts manufacturing drives small-town
economies, especially in Jackson. Agriculture dominates most of the rest of
the district, with soybeans and corn as the staple crops. The farming
counties of Branch, Eaton, Hillsdale and Jackson have been fertile ground
for the GOP, which has carried congressional elections. Rural and small-town
voters tend to overwhelm the influence of the cities' blue-collar
population, but even Democrats tend to be socially conservative. When most
of the state went for the Clinton in 1992, the 7th was evenly split. In
1996, Clinton won narrowly.
The district's political and social culture has been shaped by Quaker
settlements that made the area a station on the Underground Railroad and
left many residents sensitive to issues such as racial segregation and the
Vietnam War.
Major Industry
Agriculture, food processing, auto parts manufacturing
Population
581,005 (1990)
Cities
Battle Creek, 53,430; Jackson, 35,899; Adrian, 22,262 (1996)
People
52% rural; 12% age 65+ (ranks 10 of 16 in state; middle third nationally);
60% married couples, 28% married couples with children; 14% college educated
(ranks ninth of 16 in state; bottom third nationally); 50% white collar
(ranks 12 of 16 in state; bottom third nationally), 33% blue collar (ranks
third of 16 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
92% white, 6% black, 1% Asian; 2% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$29,976 (ranks ninth of 16 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Sojourner Truth lived in Battle Creek; Annual Cereal Festival, culminating
in the world's longest breakfast table, in Battle Creek.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 7
