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 50% 49% 62% 37% 1997 53 45 60 39 1996 53 47 52 48 1995 49 51 45 52 1994 63 32 58 39 1993 50 49 61 36 1992 38 62 61 36 1991 36 61 62 33 1990 25 70 70 24 S=Support; O=Oppose
Voting Participation Year % 1998 99 1997 99 1996 99 1995 96 1994 97 1993 96 1992 97 1991 96 1990 95	Interest Groups Year ADA AFL-CIO CCUS ACU 1998 60% n/a 67% 56 % 1997 60 75 60 52 1996 35 64 63 70 1995 40 67 79 60 1994 45 67 92 38 1993 60 67 55 50 1992 55 83 75 48 1991 60 92 40 58 1990 56 67 36 29
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 18 : Central Valley - Modesto; Merced

The 18th includes central California's Stanislaus and Merced counties, which together account for roughly 95 percent of its vote, and also slivers of San Joaquin and Madera counties. Politically, the district is highly competitive, despite a substantial Democratic voter registration edge. While Hispanics and Asians have been moving into the 18th in large numbers, they have yet to exercise commensurate influence in the voting booth.

Modesto, the Stanislaus County seat, has grown substantially over the years, spurred both by businesses fleeing California's congested coastal cities and by the Central Valley's successful agricultural industry. The 18th includes some of the world's most varied and productive farming. Modesto also has its own canning and food processing industry, as well as the Gallo Winery, which is responsible for about one-fourth of the domestic wine market.

In this agricultural district, local issues tend to revolve around water availability and the preservation of farmland. The seasonal economy and the early-1990s closure of Castle Air Force Base in Merced have contributed to higher unemployment rates than in other parts of California, but the area expects an economic boost with the planned opening of the U. of California Merced in 2000.

Major Industry
Agriculture, wine, food processing

Population
571,358 (1990)

Cities
Modesto, 182,700; Merced, 62,100; Turlock, 50,900; Ceres, 32,250 (1998 est.)

People
52% urban; 10% age 65+ (ranks 32 of 52 in state; bottom third nationally); 61% married couples, 33% married couples with children; 12% college educated (ranks 46 of 52 in state; bottom third nationally); 48% white collar (ranks 46 of 52 in state; bottom third nationally), 31% blue collar (ranks 10 of 52 in state; top third nationally) (1990)

Race
76% white, 3% black, 6% Asian; 26% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$28,324 (ranks 45 of 52 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
Modesto depicted in the George Lucas film, "American Graffiti"; Gallo Winery is the world's largest winery.

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