CQ Risk Rating: Safe Democrat 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Paul E. Kanjorski (D) | 131,948 | 66% |
| Stephen A. Urban (R) | 66,699 | 34% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: APRIL 4, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Paul E. Kanjorski | 27,985 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| Stephen A. Urban | 15,520 | 100% |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
PENNSYLVANIA 11
:
Northeast - Wilkes-Barre
Since the turn of the century, the health of the 11th District has been
inextricably linked to the production, manufacture and sale of coal. Demand
for the district's anthracite coal peaked in the 1910s and '20s. Since then,
a few cities in this district have disappeared with the long decline of the
coal industry and the rise of oil and natural gas. Centralia, the site of a
still burning underground mine, turned into a ghost town after a federally
ordered evacuation.
Other towns, such as Jim Thorpe and Wilkes-Barre, have been more
prosperous. Jim Thorpe, given that moniker in 1954 for the decathlon Olympic
gold medalist who is buried in town, was a haven for millionaires and has
maintained its historic charm as a preservation project of the Department of
the Interior.
Politically, this district has a knack for picking winning presidential
candidates and supporting them at percentages uncannily close to the nation
as a whole. At other levels, the district has loyal ties to the Democrat
Party, the result of a large Irish population and a strong union tradition.
The departure of coal and the influx of technology have led to an increase
in registered Republicans but not enough to challenge the Democratic status
quo. Although the 11th has plenty of Reagan Democrats who could swing to
support a Republican, it has elected a Democrat to its congressional seat
since 1984.
Major Industry
Manufacturing, retail trade, tourism
Population
565,802 (1990)
Cities
Wilkes-Barre, 47,523; Hazelton, 24,730; Kingston, 14,507 (1996)
People
40% rural, 37% urban; 19% age 65+ (ranks first of 21 in state; top third
nationally); 57% married couples, 24% married couples with children; 13%
college educated (ranks 16 of 21 in state; bottom third nationally); 49%
white collar (ranks 17 of 21 in state; bottom third nationally), 35% blue
collar (ranks third of 21 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
98% white, 1% black, 0% Asian; 1% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$22,459 (ranks 18 of 21 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
The first switchback railroad was used in the town of Jim Thorpe; Berwick
prides itself on its high school football team, a perennial power in
Pennsylvania that has produced several NFL players.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 11
