CQ Risk Rating: Safe Republican 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Henry Bonilla (R) | 119,679 | 59% |
| Isidro Garza Jr. (D) | 78,274 | 39% |
| Jeffrey C. Blunt (LIBERT) | 3,801 | 2% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: MARCH 14, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Isidro Garza Jr. | 43,424 | 70% |
| Joseph P. "Joe" Sullivan | 18,937 | 30% |
| | Republican |
| Henry Bonilla | 25,231 | 100% |
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 23
:
Southwest - Laredo; San Antonio suburbs
The politically moderate 23rd skims El Paso in the west, heads over to
San Antonio in the east and borders Mexico to the south. The largest
district in a state that boasts of doing everything bigger and better than
the rest of the nation, the 23rd covers 27 counties that rest along the Rio
Grande and has a Hispanic population reaching 62 percent.
The 23rd includes some of the nation's poorest counties along its
southern border. Seasonal employment, the influx of legal and illegal
immigrants and an abundance of cheaper Mexican labor contribute to high
unemployment. Manufacturing operations along the border known as
maquiladoras are an integral part of the economy. While it may be too early
to gauge the long-term effects of NAFTA, an increase in trade and
manufacturing has been of immediate benefit to the area.
In 1992, the 23rd elected a Republican who has since held onto the seat.
While most of the district is Democratic-leaning, a majority of the 23rd's
voters come from the Republican hub of Bexar County. Locally, most areas
outside Bexar County continue to elect Democrats, but Republicans have made
inroads in swaying conservative Democrats.
Major Industry
Agriculture, trade, tourism
Military Bases
Fort Bliss, 12,000 military, 7,000 civilian (1998) (shared with the 16th
District); Laughlin Air Force Base, 1,416 military (1998), 952 civilian
(1997)
Population
566,736 (1990)
Cities
Laredo, 164, 899 (1996); San Antonio, 60,599 (pt.) (1990); Del Rio, 34,495
(1996)
People
47% urban, 28% suburban; 9% age 65+ (ranks 19 of 30 in state; bottom third
nationally); 66% married couples, 38% married couples with children; 17%
college educated (ranks 13 of 30 in state; middle third nationally); 55%
white collar (ranks 15 of 30 in state; middle third nationally), 26% blue
collar (ranks 16th of 30 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Race
74% white, 3% black, 1% Asian; 62% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$21,555 (ranks 24 of 30 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Texas' largest county, Brewster, is 6,208 square miles, about the size of
Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 23
