CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| James C. Greenwood (R) | 154,090 | 59% |
| Ron Strouse (D) | 100,617 | 39% |
| Philip C. Holmen (REF) | 5,394 | 2% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: APRIL 4, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Ron Strouse | 13,591 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| James C. Greenwood | 25,170 | 67% |
| Tom Lingenfelter | 12,278 | 33% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
PENNSYLVANIA 8
:
Northern Philadelphia suburbs - Bucks County
Nestled between Philadelphia and Trenton, N.J., the 8th includes all of
Bucks and a small portion of Montgomery counties. Established in 1682 by
William Penn as one of the three original counties in Pennsylvania, Bucks
features stately mansions such as Pennsbury Manor, Penn's home. The scenery
and country charm have attracted wealthy new residents - not all of them
Republican - who are changing the political landscape of the 8th.
The residents of upper Bucks remain heavily Republican, but central and
lower Bucks tend to be more Democratic or independent. Fiscally
conservative, the district nonetheless supports environmentalism and holds
moderate stances on some social issues. Although the 8th continues to vote
locally for Republicans, it endorsed Clinton in 1992 and '96. Still, in
1992, voters tossed out the longtime Democratic incumbent representative in
favor of a moderate Republican.
Along with changes in its voting habits, the 8th has seen some
significant economic developments. Fairless Works, a struggling steel
company that was the third-largest employer in the county, dismissed nearly
one-third of its workforce and scaled back production by 70 percent. Despite
these layoffs, the county continues to thrive. More than 20,000 small
businesses, ranging from printing to biotechnology, blanket Bucks. A
deep-water port opened in the 1990s, making the 8th a distribution and
warehouse center.
Major Industry
Health care, wholesale and retail trade, tourism
Population
565,820 (1990)
Cities
Levittown (unincorporated), 55,362; Horsham (unincorporated), 15,051 (1990);
Bristol, 10,198 (1996)
People
78% urban; 11% age 65+ (ranks 21 of 21 in state; bottom third nationally);
66% married couples, 32% married couples with children; 25% college educated
(ranks third of 21 in state; top third nationally); 65% white collar (ranks
fifth of 21 in state; top third nationally), 25% blue collar (ranks 15 of 21
in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
95% white, 3% black, 2% Asian; 2% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$43,483 (ranks second of 21 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
George Washington crossing the Delaware River re-enacted in Washington
Crossing each Christmas Day; Nobel Prize winning author Pearl S. Buck lived
in Bucks County.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 8
