CQ Risk Rating: Safe Democrat 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Bennie Thompson (D) | 112,777 | 65% |
| Hardy Caraway (R) | 54,090 | 31% |
| William G. "Will" Chipman (LIBERT) | 4,305 | 2% |
| Lee F. Dilworth (REF) | 2,135 | 1% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 14, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Bennie Thompson | 21,177 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| Hardy Caraway | 5,135 | 53% |
| Robert Brown | 4,632 | 47% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
MISSISSIPPI 2
:
West central - Mississippi Delta
The nutrient-rich flatlands of the Mississippi Delta and the
agricultural economy stemming from it have promoted landowner/tenant
relationships that have made the 2nd one of the poorest districts in the
nation. Many parts of the Delta still lack centralized running water.
Traveling north from Vicksburg, the road drops 15 feet in Issaquena County,
marking the beginning of the flat Delta, home of some of the nation's most
fertile soil, which supports cotton and soybeans. Although some low-income
white residents call the 2nd home, it is the only black-majority district in
the state.
While casinos in Tunica County have helped erase its standing as the
nation's poorest county, many casino workers don't live in the district and
instead commute from the Memphis region. And to the extent that people move
up, they move out - college graduates find few industries to support their
skills. Vicksburg is the district's one bright spot, where a mixture of
tourism, casinos and a Mississippi River port have created prosperity.
Democratic since 1987, the 2nd's politics are dominated by the black
vote. Republicans hold small areas around Jackson and the district's
northeast, but Democrats hold most other local offices. Voters crave
beneficial government programs, and lawmakers try to bring federal money to
the area to build basics, like running water.
Major Industry
Casinos, agriculture, fishing
Population
514,469 (1990)
Cities
Greenville, 42,933 (1996); Jackson (pt.), 34,454 (1990); Vicksburg, 27,056
(1996)
People
55% rural; 13% age 65+ (ranks third of five in state; middle third
nationally); 47% married couples, 23% married couples with children; 13%
college educated (ranks fourth of five in state; bottom third nationally);
47% white collar (ranks fourth of five in state; bottom third nationally),
32% blue collar (ranks third of five in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
37% white, 63% black, 0% Asian; 0% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$15,530 (ranks fifth of five in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
The Delta was the real birthplace of blues music: Blues pioneer Muddy Waters
born in Rolling Fork on April 4, 1915; Blues legend B.B. King born in
Indianola on Sept. 16, 1925.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 2
