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 20% 78% 97% 3% 1997 25 73 95 4 S=Support; O=Oppose
Voting Participation Year % 1998 98 1997 99	Interest Groups Year ADA AFL-CIO CCUS ACU 1998 0% n/a 89% 100 % 1997 0 0 90 100
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

TEXAS 5 : East Central - Part of Dallas; eastern and southern suburbs

The 5th encompasses several neighborhoods to the north and east of Dallas, then stretches 200 miles south to draw in seven counties and parts of three other counties. About 55 percent of the district's residents live in Dallas County.

The economy of Dallas and its surrounding suburbs is strong and on the rise, with new businesses constantly appearing and high-tech jobs increasing. Many of the suburbs outside the city have growing populations and provide easy access to a bustling metropolis while supplying the benefits of small-town life. Mesquite, once predominantly farmland, is now a popular residential area.

Prisons are a large employer in the district. In the more rural counties, like Leon and Robertson, cattle, natural gas and coal continue to be big industries as well. Many of the smaller towns previously relied on steel or lumber and were hard hit when those fell. Today, however, there are brownfield revitalization efforts taking place in the 5th.

The 5th leans toward the GOP in most elections. After the latest redistricting in 1996, the district picked up some reliably Republican territory in the northeast neighborhoods of Dallas. Still, Tyler (Smith County) and Bryan (Brazos County) have large black populations and vote heavily Democratic, making the district more competitive. The district elected a Republican congressman in 1996 after 12 years of Democratic representation.

Major Industry
High-tech, prisons, service

Population
566,887 (1990)

Cities
Dallas (pt.), 189,987; Mesquite (pt.), 56,490; Garland (pt.), 39,207 (1990)

People
65% urban; 13% age 65+ (ranks ninth of 30 in state; middle third nationally); 52% married couples, 24% married couples with children; 19% college educated (ranks 11 of 30 in state; middle third nationally); 57% white collar (ranks 12 of 30 in state; middle third nationally), 26% blue collar (ranks 16 of 30 in state; middle third nationally) (1990)

Race
75% white, 16% black, 1% Asian; 14% Hispanic origin (1990)

Median Household Income
$25,817 (15 of 30 in state; bottom third nationally) (1990)

Unusual Features
Joe Kool, reputedly one of the most difficult bulls to ride in the world, appeared regularly for a decade at the renowned Mesquite Rodeo.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company