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 27% 65% 76% 18% 1997 32 67 84 11 1996 47 51 73 22 1995 23 74 86 10 1994 58 37 74 21 1993 57 42 75 24 1992 61 36 73 24 1991 67 32 75 22 1990 50 45 70 26 S=Support; O=Oppose
Voting Participation Year % 1998 92 1997 95 1996 95 1995 96 1994 94 1993 98 1992 97 1991 97 1990 97	Interest Groups Year ADA AFL-CIO CCUS ACU 1998 15% n/a 67% 80 % 1997 20 38 90 76 1996 30 70 73 60 1995 15 17 88 76 1994 25 67 82 65 1993 30 75 82 79 1992 25 50 57 78 1991 40 42 50 70 1990 33 8 54 65
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

FLORIDA 18 : Southeast - Parts of Dade County; part of Miami

The 18th features the glitz of downtown Miami and Miami Beach, but its political base comes from the Latin-dominated areas west of downtown. From downtown Miami, the 18th winds its way around black-majority areas grouped into the 17th District. Two-thirds of the residents claim Hispanic origin and many are stridently anti-Castro, helping make the 18th among the safest Republican districts in the nation.

The district has a wide mix of neighborhoods, from the downtrodden areas of Little Havana to wealthy Pinecrest and more middle-class Kendall and Westchester. Residents tend to be conservative on foreign policy issues but more in line with Democrats on welfare reform and other social issues. A strong economy that doesn't rely solely on tourism has translated into little opposition for incumbents.

International commerce and transportation, including Miami International Airport and several cruise lines, are important parts of the 18th's economy and have been bolstered by increased trade with Latin America. Two large universities - the U. of Miami in upscale Coral Gables and Florida International U. - attract an international student body. The United States Southern Command, which oversees military operations in Central and South America, will be moving from Panama to a location just west of the airport in Miami.

Major Industry
Transportation, trade, higher education

Population
562,394 (1990)

Cities
Miami (pt.), 228,969; Coral Gables (pt.), 38,052; Miami Beach (pt.), 33,721 (1990)

People
99% urban; 17% age 65+ (ranks 11 of 23 in state; top third nationally); 50% married couples, 20% married couples with children; 21% college educated (ranks sixth of 23 in state; middle third nationally); 60% white collar (ranks 11 of 23 in state; middle third nationally), 24% blue collar (ranks eighth of 23 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)

Race
89% white, 4% black, 1% Asian; 67% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$25,537 (ranks 15 of 23 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
Richard M. Nixon vacationed regularly on Key Biscayne; South Beach's residents have included Madonna and Sylvester Stallone.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company