CQ Risk Rating: Democrat Favored 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Max Sandlin (D) | 118,157 | 56% |
| Noble Willingham (R) | 91,912 | 43% |
| Raymond Carr (LIBERT) | 1,779 | 1% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 14, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Max Sandlin | 56,207 | 85% |
| B.D. Blount | 10,265 | 15% |
| | Republican |
| Noble Willingham | 14,619 | 57% |
| John Lawrence | 10,919 | 43% |
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
TEXAS 1
:
Northeast - Texarkana; Marshall
The 1st wraps around Texas' northeastern corner along the Oklahoma and
Arkansas borders near the city of Texarkana, then stretches south to include
parts of Nacogdoches County. Mostly removed from the Dallas-Fort Worth
suburbs, the district has a rural landscape and a Southern feel that's
harder to find in the rest of the state. Nearly three-fourths of its
population are native Texans; the state average stands at 67 percent.
The economic dominance of natural resources - timber, oil and natural
gas - has diminished since the oil bust of the 1980s and the rise of the
manufacturing sector, which now drives the economy. The 1st still faces some
economic challenges from foreign timber companies and cattle ranchers who
can sell their products at lower prices. A small but significant defense
industry is centered around Greenville, which is shared with the 4th. Slow
population growth and miles of forests and agricultural land are hallmarks
of the district but do less to improve its economic shape than the highways
that connect the district to the outside world.
Residents of the 1st tend to be conservative, even among Democrats, and
the region has been called the "buckle of the Bible Belt." A bastion of
political populism, the district has the highest percentage of elderly
residents in the state and provides strong support for the GOP in the
western portions of the 1st. Conservative Democrats still run well along the
eastern border near Arkansas and Louisiana.
Major Industry
Timber, light manufacturing, agriculture
Military Bases
Red River Army Depot, 3 military, 1,754 civilian (1998)
Population
565,594 (1990)
Cities
Texarkana, 32,462 (1996); Longview (pt.), 30,695 (1990); Paris, 25,101
(1996)
People
56% rural; 16% age 65+ (ranks first of 30 in state; top third nationally);
60% married couples, 27% married couples with children; 13% college educated
(ranks 25 of 30 in state; bottom third nationally); 47% white collar (ranks
26 of 30 in state; bottom third nationally), 32% blue collar (ranks second
of 30 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
79% white, 18% black, 0% Asian; 3% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$21,697 (ranks 23 of 30 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
The city of Texarkana is split between Texas and Arkansas - it has two
mayors, two police forces and two school systems; It's also the birthplace
of Ross Perot.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
Front | Political News | Elections | The Issues | Federal Page | Polls
Columns - Cartoons | Live Online | Online Extras | Photo Galleries | Video - Audio
|
District 1
