CQ Risk Rating: Safe Democrat 
| GENERAL ELECTION: NOVEMBER 7, 2000 |
|
| Brian Baird (D) | 159,428 | 56% |
| Trent Matson (R) | 114,861 | 41% |
| Erne Lewis (LIBERT) | 8,375 | 3% |
| PRIMARY ELECTION: SEPTEMBER 19, 2000 |
|
| | Votes | Percentage | | Democratic |
| Brian Baird | 81,240 | 56% |
| | Libertarian |
| Erne Lewis | 5,332 | 4% |
| | Republican |
| Trent Matson | 58,077 | 40% |
Note : Washington has a "jungle" primary, in which candidates of all parties appear on the same ballot; the candidate in each party with the most votes advances to the general election.
Source: Congressional Quarterly. To suggest updates and corrections: politics.feedback@cq.com
Major Industry | Population | Cities | People | Race | Median Household Income | Unusual Features
WASHINGTON 3
:
Southwest - Olympia; Vancouver
The Columbia River snakes west along the 3rd's eastern and southern
boundaries until it spills into the Pacific Ocean. The Cascade Mountains and
surrounding forests provided this southwest region of the state with a
once-booming timber industry. But as the area's explosive growth continues,
trees and farmland are being cleared to make way for suburban developments.
When the timber industry suffered severe cutbacks in the 1990s, many of
the workers eventually transferred into non-union jobs with high-tech
companies. Clark County's population grew by nearly 30 percent from 1990 to
1996 as many Portland, Ore., workers prefer cheaper land prices in
Washington. But in some parts of the district, home prices have tripled in
10 years, and small farmers have been pushed out; some dairy families
relocated to Idaho.
The 3rd had been Democratic from 1961 until a Republican won its
congressional seat in 1994. The rural communities vote Republican, and
Thurston County votes Democratic, leaving Clark County as the battleground
for the district. With rates of growth in the double digits, voters have
demanded infrastructure improvements to relieve traffic congestion and
overcrowding in schools.
Major Industry
Timber, mining, computer hardware
Population
540,658 (1990)
Cities
Vancouver 59,982; Olympia 39,006; Longview 33,767 (1996)
People
54% urban; 13% age 65+ (ranks fourth of nine in state; middle third
nationally); 59% married couples, 28% married couples with children; 17%
college educated (ranks eighth of nine in state; middle third nationally);
54% white collar (ranks seventh of nine in state; middle third nationally),
30% blue collar (ranks second of nine in state; top third nationally) (1990)
Race
95% white, 1% black, 2% Asian; 2% Hispanic origin (1990)
Median Household Income
$29,154 (ranks sixth of nine in state; middle third nationally) (1990)
Unusual Features
Mount St. Helens erupted May 18, 1980, killing 57 people and destroying
enough lumber for 300,000 two-bedroom homes.
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 3
