CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| J.C. Watts Jr. (R) | 114,000 | 65% |
| Larry Weatherford (D) | 54,808 | 31% |
| Susan Ducey (REF) | 4,897 | 3% |
| Keith B. Johnson (LIBERT) | 1,979 | 1% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: AUGUST 22, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Larry Weatherford | Unopposed |
| | Republican |
| J.C. Watts Jr. | 21,960 | 81% |
| James Odom | 5,163 | 19% |
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
OKLAHOMA 4
:
Southwest; part of Oklahoma City
Home to the state's largest university and several military bases, the
4th occupies a portion of the southwest corner of the state from Oklahoma
City through Lawton to the Texas border. Its residents, mostly conservative
on social and fiscal issues, live in college towns like Norman and more
rural areas like Cotton and Jefferson counties.
The 4th's once-booming oil economy suffered from the low prices of the
1990s, and a concurrent drought helped decimate the southwest. Two of the
smaller counties in the 4th lost population in the early 1990s. But,
overall, population remained steady at the close of the decade, as the
military maintained its ubiquitous presence. With more than 27,000
personnel, the military bases inject the region with plenty of retail
dollars. Still, even after the drought, agriculture remains an essential
economic cog. Soybeans, cotton, wheat and peanuts fill many of the
district's family farms.
The 4th has epitomized the Oklahoman trend toward voting for Republicans
in national elections. Although once confined to presidential elections,
district votes for the GOP have swung behind congressional candidates and
trickled down to some state legislators. The Christian Coalition and other
groups have attracted socially conservative voters who grew up voting for
Democrats.
Major Industry
Military, higher education, oil production
Military Bases
Tinker Air Force Base, 7,767 military, 13,474 civilian (1998); Fort Sill
(Army), 16,267 military, 5,983 civilian (1998); Altus Air Force Base, 3,341
military, 929 civilian (1997)
Population
524,407 (1990)
Cities
Norman, 90,228; Lawton, 82,582 (1996); Oklahoma City (pt.), 45,448 (1990)
People
56% urban; 11% age 65+ (ranks sixth of six in state; bottom third
nationally); 62% married couples, 31% married couples with children; 19%
college educated (ranks third of six in state; middle third nationally); 57%
white collar (ranks third of six in state; middle third nationally), 26%
blue collar (ranks fourth of six in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
84% white, 7% black, 2% Asian, 5% American Indian; 4% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$25,391 (ranks third of six in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Apache warrior Geronimo was imprisoned at Ft. Sill Military Reservation near
Lawton.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 4
