CQ Risk Rating: Republican Favored 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Patrick J. Toomey (R) | 118,307 | 53% |
| Ed O'Brien (D) | 103,864 | 47% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: APRIL 4, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Ed O'Brien | 18,093 | 100% |
| | Republican |
| Patrick J. Toomey | 21,487 | 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 15
:
East - Allentown; Bethlehem
North of Philadelphia and bordering New Jersey, the 15th includes the
cities of Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Many of the district's towns date
back to colonial times, some with a well-established Pennsylvania Dutch
heritage. Allentown and Bethlehem have struggled for years to regain their
pre-World War II economic status, built on a powerful steel industry.
The district's economy has been shifting from manufacturing to
technology. Office parks now cover the landscape where factories were once
the mainstay. With the departure of Mack Trucks in the 1980s, firms such as
Lucent Technologies have moved in and rejuvenated the economy.
Although registered Democrats outnumber Republicans, the 15th was
represented by a Republican from 1979 to 1993. Despite its industrial,
blue-collar, ethnic population, voters had trouble seeing past the
Democratic Party's liberal image - the district supported Clinton, but only
by a 4 or 5 percent margin.
Major Industry
Manufacturing, technology, health care
Population
565,818 (1990)
Cities
Allentown, 102,211; Bethlehem, 71,427; Easton, 26,276 (1996)
People
69% urban; 15% age 65+ (ranks 13 of 21 in state; top third nationally); 61%
married couples, 26% married couples with children; 18% college educated
(ranks eighth of 21 in state; middle third nationally); 57% white collar
(ranks eighth of 21 in state; middle third nationally), 30% blue collar
(ranks of 10 of 21 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
94% white, 2% black, 1% Asian; 5% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$33,049 (ranks fifth of 21 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
The Liberty Bell was hidden from the British in an Allentown church for
a year during the Revolutionary War; Easton is home to the Crayola Crayon
factory.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 15
