Arizona's 2nd congressional district

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Arizona's 2nd congressional district
Area 20,219 mi²
Distribution 89% urban, 11% rural
Population (2000) 641,329
Median income $42,432
Ethnic composition 85.5% White, 2.2% Black, 1.7% Asian, 14.2% Hispanic, 2.2% Native American, 6% other
Cook PVI R+9

Arizona's 2nd congressional district contains the northwestern corner of the state, and some of the western suburbs of Phoenix. The odd shape of the district is indicative of the use of gerrymandering in its construction. The unusual division was not, however, drawn to favor politicians. Owing to historic tensions between the Hopi and the Navajo, and since tribal boundary disputes are a Federal matter, it was thought inappropriate that both tribes should be represented by the same U.S. House of Representatives member. Since the Hopi reservation is completely surrounded by the Navajo reservation, and in order to comply with current Arizona redistricting laws, some means of connection was required that avoided including large portions of Navajo land, hence the narrow riverine connection.

It is currently represented by Trent Franks, a Republican. George W. Bush received 61% of the vote in this district in 2004.

Contents

[edit] Competitivenss

The district covers all of Peoria, Surprise and portions of Glendale in Maricopa County along with all of Mohave County and the Hopi Nation. However, the great majority of its population lives in the strongly Republican southern and southwestern suburbs of Phoenix, making this a fairly safe Republican seat.

[edit] Recent results

Prior to 2002, nearly all of the territory now in the 2nd District was the 3rd District. Most of what was the 2nd District prior to 2002 is now the 7th District.

[edit] 2006

Main article: U.S. House election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes  %
  Republican Party Trent Franks 97,100 58.2
  Democratic Party Randy Camacho 65,490 39.2
  Libertarian Party Powell Gammill 4,280 2.6

[edit] 2004

Main article: U.S. House election, 2004
Party Candidate Votes  %
  Republican Party Trent Franks 165,260 59
  Democratic Party Randy Camacho 107,406 39
  Libertarian Party Powell Gammill 6,625 2

[edit] 2002

Main article: U.S. House election, 2002
Party Candidate Votes  %
  Republican Party Trent Franks 85,032 59
  Democratic Party Randy Camacho 53,426 37
  Libertarian Party Edward Carlson 5,198 4

[edit] 2000

Main article: U.S. House election, 2000
Party Candidate Votes  %
  Democratic Party Ed Pastor 79,569 69
  Republican Party Bill Barenholtz 31,770 28

[edit] 1998

Main article: U.S. House election, 1998
Party Candidate Votes  %
  Democratic Party Ed Pastor 53,421 68
  Republican Party Bill Barenholtz 22,283 29

[edit] Historical representation

Congress Representative
78th-80th (1943-1949)1 Richard F. Harless
81st-83rd (1949-1955)1 Harold A. Patten
84th-87th (1955-1963) Stewart Lee Udall2
87th-102nd (1963-1991) Mo Udall3
102nd-107th (1991-2003) Ed Pastor4
108th-110th (2003-present) Trent Franks

[edit] Footnotes

  1. before 1951, Arizona's districts were elected at-large
  2. Stewart Udall resigned to take job as Secretary of the Interior in the Kennedy administration
  3. Mo Udall resigned due to failing health
  4. Pastor subsequently represented Arizona's fourth district


[edit] References

  1. Demographic data from census.gov
  2. 2004 Election data from CNN.com
  3. 2002 Election data from CBSNews.com
  4. 2000 Election data from CNN.com
  5. 1998 Election data from CNN.com
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Arizona's congressional districts