CQ Voting Studies are an annual analysis of a member's support or opposition to a given position. Interest Group Ratings are based on rankings from groups chosen to represent liberal, conservative, business and labor viewpoints.Voting Participation scores are based on the number of times a member voted "yea" or "nay" on roll call votes (not including quorum calls in the House). CQ Vote Studies Year Presidential Support Party Unity   S* O* S O 1998 87% 10% 92% 5% 1997 87 12 91 8 1996 82 16 90 7 1995 86 14 93 7 1994 81 19 98 2 1993 84 16 96 3 S=Support; O=Oppose
Voting Participation Year % 1998 96 1997 97 1996 98 1995 99 1994 100 1993 99	Interest Groups Year ADA AFL-CIO CCUS ACU 1998 90% n/a 39% 0 % 1997 100 100 40 8 1996 85 80 29 0 1995 85 100 33 16 1994 95 89 33 0 1993 95 92 27 4
Note on Interest Groups: ADA=Americans for Democratic Action; AFL-CIO=American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations; CCUS=Chamber of Commerce of the United States; ACU=American Conservative Union

CALIFORNIA 14 : Southern San Mateo and northern Santa Clara counties

With boundaries mirroring those of Silicon Valley, the 14th is known for high-tech innovation. The region has undergone tremendous economic growth since the 1980s. The change in landscape is most evident at the Santa Clara County end of the district, in cities such as Cupertino, Mountain View and Sunnyvale, where apricot and cherry orchards once were common.

Most of the district's residents live in cities at the geographical center of the district, between Interstate 280 and U.S. Route 101, including Redwood City, Mountain View and Palo Alto. Sixty percent of the district lives in Santa Clara County. As a new major metropolitan center, the region is dealing with the consequences of a sustained boom. Traffic congestion is common and real estate prices are among the highest in the nation. The economic fortunes of the area have put growth issues and education at the top of the district's political agenda.

The 14th's voters traditionally have been pragmatic, favoring solution-seeking, moderate Republican candidates. Democrats have more than a 10-point edge in voter registration, but 1992 marked the first time in nearly six decades that a Democrat was chosen to represent the region, thanks to the successful Clinton campaign and the "Year of the Woman."

Major Industry
Computers, biotechnology, defense, aerospace

Military Bases
Onizuka Air Station, 550 military, 230 civilian (1998)

Population
571,058 (1990)

Cities
Sunnyvale (pt.), 105,736; Redwood City (pt.), 59,707 (1990); Mountain View, 70,619 (1996); Palo Alto, 58,304 (1998)

People
99% urban; 11% age 65+ (ranks 18 of 52 in state; bottom third nationally); 52% married couples, 22% married couples with children; 44% college educated (ranks first of 52 in state; top third nationally); 75% percent white collar (ranks second of 52 in state; top third nationally), 14% blue collar (ranks 51 of 52 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)

Race
78% white, 5% black, 12% Asian; 13% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$50,078 (ranks fifth of 52 in state; top third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
Apple Computer founded in a Cupertino garage; Water tower painted as a Libby's fruit cocktail can, where the cannery operated in Sunnyvale.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company