CQ Risk Rating: Safe Democrat 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Karen McCarthy (D) | 159,826 | 69% |
| Steve Gordon (R) | 66,439 | 29% |
| Charles Reitz (GREEN) | 2,548 | 1% |
| Alan Newberry (LIBERT) | 2,350 | 1% |
| Dennis M. Carriger (REF) | 974 | 0% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: AUGUST 8, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Karen McCarthy | 35,071 | 85% |
| Charles Lindsey | 6,013 | 15% |
| | Libertarian |
| Alan Newberry | 366 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| Steve Gordon | 7,906 | 46% |
| Walter Wright | 5,677 | 33% |
| Chet Southworth | 3,694 | 21% |
| | Reform |
| Dennis M. Carriger | 149 | 100% |
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
MISSOURI 5
:
Kansas City and eastern suburbs
Mostly middle-class, Democratic residents live in Kansas City and the
western Jackson County suburbs that make up the 5th. Although the city's
suburban growth is greatest in its Kansas portion, Missouri communities have
prospered.
A diverse economic base has enabled Kansas City to grow from a cow town.
Transportation, telecommunications, steel and automobile production
facilities highlight a solid industrial base. Many Missourians travel to
Kansas or Missouri's 6th District to work at companies such as Sprint
Communications or Ford. The federal government also is a large employer. And
although its influence is a far cry from what it once was, the city is a
major market for feeder cattle and winter wheat.
Hallmark Cards, the city's largest employer, built a popular new
entertainment complex in the downtown area. Refurbishing the City Market and
Quality Hill communities has lured younger, well-to-do residents to the
city. Still, the contrasting neighborhoods on opposite sides of Troost
Street remind residents of the economic disparity in the city, which largely
runs along racial lines. Offshoot cities Blue Springs and Lee's Summit
experienced double-digit population growth during the first half of the
1990s, and although the city Independence has not grown as much, it still
accounts for about one-fifth of the district's vote.
The 5th's portion of Kansas City is solidly Democratic and socially
moderate. Popular Rep. Alan Wheat, a black Democrat, represented the
district from 1983-95, and the seat has remained under Democratic control.
Major Industry
Auto manufacturing, agriculture
Military Bases
Marine Corps Support Activity, 600 military, 200 civilian (1998)
Population
569,130 (1990)
Cities
Kansas City (pt.), 341,179; Independence (pt.), 111,215; Lee's Summit (pt.),
45,985 (1990)
People
99% urban; 14% age 65+ (ranks seventh of nine in state; top third
nationally); 47% married couples, 20% married couples with children; 20%
college educated (ranks second of nine in state; middle third nationally);
61% white collar (ranks second of nine in state; middle third nationally),
24% blue collar (ranks seventh of nine in state; middle third nationally)
(1990)
Race
73% white, 24% black, 1% Asian; 3% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$26,968 (ranks fourth of nine in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
President Harry S. Truman from Independence.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 5
