CQ Risk Rating: Safe Democrat 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Rick Boucher (D) | 137,488 | 70% |
| Michael D. "Oz" Osborne (R) | 59,335 | 30% |
| write-ins | 32 | 0% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: JUNE 13, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Rick Boucher | Unopposed |
| | Republican |
| Michael D. "Oz" Osborne | Unopposed |
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
VIRGINIA 9
:
Southwest - Blacksburg; Bristol
Covered with forests, mountainous terrain and a slew of small factory
and coal towns, the Democratic-leaning 9th is rich in beauty but also is one
of Virginia's poorest districts. Located in the southwestern part of the
state, the 9th has struggled with high poverty rates and a weak economic
base.
Coal mining provides jobs in counties at the western tip of the 9th,
which also is the most economically depressed part of the district.
Elsewhere, manufacturing is the major industry.
Diversifying the economy and ensuring clean drinking water for thousands
of residents who lack it are priorities in the 9th. Leaders have targeted
the Internet as a way to get community exposure and to offer residents new
learning opportunities. Although the district's overall population was
stagnant in the 1990s, Craig County grew with Salem and Roanoke commuters.
Blacksburg, home to the state's largest university - Virginia Tech - remains
the 9th's largest city. Surrounding Montgomery County is economically
atypical of the 9th.
The district is known as the "Fighting 9th," a name that reflects the
area's fiercely competitive politics and its ornery isolation from the
political establishment in Richmond. In the post-World War II era, when
Democrats routinely dominated Virginia politics, the 9th was the only
district in which Republicans were consistently strong. Since then, the GOP
has lost ground, and Democrats have held the 9th since 1983. At the local
level, members of both parties hold elected seats.
Major Industry
Manufacturing, coal mining, agriculture
Population
562,508 (1990)
Cities
Blacksburg, 34,294 (1996); Bristol, 18,426 (pt.); Radford, 16,145 (1990)
People
71% rural; 13% age 65+ (ranks third of 11 in state; middle third
nationally); 62% married couples, 28% married with children; 12% college
educated (ranks 11 of 11 in state; bottom third nationally); 44% white
collar (ranks 11 of 11 in state; bottom third nationally), 40% blue collar
(ranks first of 11 in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
97% white, 2% black, 1% Asian; 0% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$20,857 (ranks 11 of 11 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Brass markers placed through the city of Bristol mark the Virginia-Tennessee
state line.
Source: Congressional Quarterly (Updated April 1999)
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District 9
