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 22% 78% 89% 8% 1997 25 75 93 5 1996 34 65 96 4 1995 20 80 93 5 S=Support; O=Oppose
Voting Participation Year % 1998 95 1997 98 1996 99 1995 98	Interest Groups Year ADA AFL-CIO CCUS ACU 1998 15% n/a 76% 88 % 1997 5 0 90 92 1996 0 0 100 100 1995 5 0 96 96
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

SOUTH CAROLINA 3 : West - Anderson; Aiken

Encompassing the northwestern corner of the state, the 3rd is one of South Carolina's most uniform and rural districts. Voters in this area tend to be "new" Republicans, having shifted over from "Yellow Dog" Democrat status. Rep. Graham is the first Republican to hold this seat since Reconstruction. Local races are competitive, ultimately turning into a battle between the socially conservative, pro-business candidates of both parties. Most of the communities in the district enjoy a reputation as homes of old-fashioned Southern gentility.

The brimming economy has further boosted opportunities for the GOP. Several Fortune 500 firms operate in Aiken, and the region also is attracting U.S. divisions of international companies. To the northwest, Anderson has built a more technical and industrial economy, moving away from its rural roots. Many area textile mills have successfully shifted to high-tech fiber manufacturing. Clemson U. provides the economic and social nexus for Pickens County at the 3rd's northern tip.

Despite the district's current Republican leaning, traditional Democratic voting habits still hold sway in the 3rd's rural midsection, where a sizable black population and less prosperity have kept the GOP from building momentum. Abbeville, McCormick and Edgefield were the only counties in the district not to support George Bush in 1992.

Major Industry
Manufacturing, textiles, cotton

Population
580,861 (1990)

Cities
Anderson, 26,429; Greenwood, 19,642 (1996); Aiken (pt.), 16,461 (1990)

People
58% rural; 13% age 65+ (ranks first of six in state; middle third nationally); 60% married couples, 27% married couples with children; 14% college educated (ranks fourth of six in state; bottom third nationally); 45% white collar (ranks fourth of six in state; bottom third nationally), 42% blue collar (ranks second of six in state; top third nationally) (1990)

Race
78% white, 21% black, 0% Asian; 0% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$25,693 (ranks fourth of six in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
The 70,000-acre Lake Thurmond (previously known as Clarks Hill Lake, renamed after Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond); In Anderson, Clarks Schwabel produces the radar-invisible "skin" of F-117 Stealth Fighters; Aiken known as the polo center of the South.

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