CQ Risk Rating: Safe Democrat 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Gene Taylor (D) | 153,264 | 79% |
| Randy McDonnell (R) | 35,309 | 18% |
| Wayne Parker (LIBERT) | 3,002 | 2% |
| Katie Perrone (REF) | 2,820 | 1% |
| PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION: APRIL 4, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Republican |
| Randy McDonnell | 2,668 | 53% |
| Nicholas Owens | 2,379 | 47% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 14, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Gene Taylor | 11,496 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| Randy McDonnell | 9,429 | 45% |
| Nicholas Owens | 5,858 | 28% |
| Karl Mertz | 5,574 | 27% |
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
MISSISSIPPI 5
:
Southeast - Gulf Coast; Hattiesburg
The pristine white Gulf Coast beaches of the 5th are surrounded by
casino resorts that have popped up since several counties changed their
gaming laws in 1992. Every county in this conservative Democratic district
grew between 1990 and '96, and more than half by double digits. Small
forested rural communities predominate where strip malls and suburban sprawl
do not. The district's strong economy and general lack of poverty
differentiate it from the rest of the state.
Defense-related businesses join casinos as the region's dominant
industries. In 1998, the unemployment rates for the Gulf Coast counties were
far below the state average of 5.1 percent, dipping to about half that in
some areas. Hattiesburg has attracted a sizable retirement community, with
new golf courses and a sprawling medical care facility at the U. of Southern
Mississippi.
The politics of the 5th mirror the voting patterns of an increasing
portion of the South. A conservative Democrat holds the congressional seat,
and Democrats dominate local elections. But Republican presidential
candidates garnered majority support in 1992 and '96. Most voters support
conservative Democrats, but younger voters lean toward Republicans.
Major Industry
Military, shipbuilding, casinos
Military Bases
Keesler Air Force Base, 10,216 military, 4,158 civilian; Gulfport Naval
Construction Battalion Center, 3,574 military, 799 civilian (1997); Naval
Station Pascagoula, 68 military, 130 civilian; Naval Meteorology and
Oceanography Command, 76 military, 1,056 civilian (1998)
Population
514,611 (1990)
Cities
Gulfport 64,829; Biloxi 48,414; Hattiesburg 47,803 (1996)
People
58% urban; 11% age 65+ (ranks fifth of five in state; bottom third
nationally); 59% married couples, 29% married couples with children; 15%
college educated (ranks third of five in state; bottom third nationally);
53% white collar (ranks second of five in state; middle third nationally),
31% blue collar (ranks fourth of four in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
78% white, 20% black, 1% Asian; 1% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$21,702 (ranks first of five in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Harrison County claims to have the largest manmade beach in the nation - 26
miles long.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 5
