Arizona's 8th congressional district: Difference between revisions
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==Main industries== |
==Main industries== |
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Primary job fields of the people in the district include: agriculture, ranching, livestock, mining, and tourism which make up the base of the economy in my district. The main irrigated crops are cotton, wheat, corn, grain, sorghum, alfalfa hay, apples, peaches, cherries, grapes, pistachios, pecans, lettuce, chilis, and other vegetables. The area has a multitude of U-pick vegetable farms and orchards, including several organic farms. Greenhouse tomato and cucumber operations have been completed in the past few years with good success. In suburban and urban areas, Wal-Marts are the most abundant superstores. |
Primary job fields of the people in the district include: agriculture, ranching, livestock, mining, and tourism which make up the base of the economy in my district. The main irrigated crops are cotton, wheat, corn, grain, sorghum, alfalfa hay, apples, peaches, cherries, grapes, pistachios, pecans, lettuce, chilis, and other vegetables. The area has a multitude of U-pick vegetable farms and orchards, including several organic farms. Greenhouse tomato and cucumber operations have been completed in the past few years with good success. In Cochise County there is the U.S. Army base Fort Huachuca and numerous defense-related companies In suburban and urban areas, Wal-Marts are the most abundant superstores. |
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===Schools=== |
===Schools=== |
Revision as of 05:49, 4 February 2008
AZ's 8th congressional district | |
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Representative | {{{representative}}} |
Area | 9,057 sq mi (23,460 km2) |
Distribution |
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Population (2000) | 641,329 |
Median household income | 40,656 |
Ethnicity |
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Cook PVI | R+1 |
Arizona's 8th Congressional District encompasses the extreme southeastern of the state. It includes all of Cochise County, Arizona and parts of Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz counties.
It is currently represented by Gabrielle Giffords, a Democrat. George W. Bush received 53% of the vote in this district in 2004.
Statistics
- Male 49.1%, Female 50.9%
- Median age: 39.1
- Median Household Income: $40,656
Competitiveness
This seat was in Republican hands until the election in Giffords in 2006. The seat has a slight GOP lean with most of the latino areas of Tucson contained in the neigboring 7th District. Tucson's GOP leanings are more socially liberal than its neighbor to the north Phoenix which helped Giffords in her bid over Randy Graf.
Recent results
2002
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Republican Party | Jim Kolbe | 112,872 | 63 | Democratic Party | Mary Judge Ryan | 60,536 | 34 | Libertarian Party | Joe Duarte | 5,520 | 3 |
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2004
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Republican Party | Jim Kolbe | 183,363 | 60.4 | Democratic Party | Eva Bacal | 109,963 | 36.2 | Libertarian Party | Robert Anderson | 10,443 | 3.4 |
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2006
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | Democratic Party | Gabrielle Giffords | 114,794 | 54.1 | Republican Party | Randy Graf | 89,609 | 42.2 | Libertarian Party | David Nolan | 4,025 | 1.9 |
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List of Representatives
Representative | Party | Years | District home | Notes |
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Jim Kolbe | Republican | 2003-01-03 – 2007-01-03 | Redistricted from the fifth district Retired | |
Gabrielle Giffords | Demcratic | 2007-01-03 – present | Incumbent |
History
In the late 1800s, Apache chief Cochise and a band of Chiricahuas built their stronghold on the Dragoon range of mountains. Similar to a European robber-baron of the 'Middle Ages, the tribe would swoop down on those who passed along on the plains below and robbed and murdered mercilessly. So bold was Cochise in his depredations, and such terror did he inspire in the hearts of all, that no one dared venture within striking distance of the raids of the terrible mountain bandits. Cochise, after a few decades, was eventually starved out of his stronghold and happily hanged. Anything like an attempt to settle up the area was made very late compared with neighboring regions. The district, containing a county now called by his name, developed when its varied and valuable resources were found in the 1870s. The discovery of mines in 1878 in the Tombstone district spurred much growth in the area.
Geography
The District is mountains and wide valleys. The district is considered to be high desert grasslands with elevations from 3500 to 6000 feet. Several mountain ranges run through the district with the highest peak in the Chiricahua Mountains at 9,796 feet. Southeast Arizona is at an ecological crossroads where habitats and species from the Sierra Madre of Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts can all be found. The abrupt rise of mountains from the surrounding grasslands creates unique habitats harboring rare species and communities of plants and animals. The area has a semi-arid climate with moderate winters and very warm summers. Precipitation rarely exceeds one inch in any month other than July, August, and September, when high intensity, but short-lived thunderstorms and monsoons can occur.
Main industries
Primary job fields of the people in the district include: agriculture, ranching, livestock, mining, and tourism which make up the base of the economy in my district. The main irrigated crops are cotton, wheat, corn, grain, sorghum, alfalfa hay, apples, peaches, cherries, grapes, pistachios, pecans, lettuce, chilis, and other vegetables. The area has a multitude of U-pick vegetable farms and orchards, including several organic farms. Greenhouse tomato and cucumber operations have been completed in the past few years with good success. In Cochise County there is the U.S. Army base Fort Huachuca and numerous defense-related companies In suburban and urban areas, Wal-Marts are the most abundant superstores.
Schools
In the district, there is Cochise College, a 2-year college. The University of Arizona is within a couple miles of the district border, located in Pima County. 4% of the people have completed less than 9th grade; 8% between 9th and 12th grade; but have not received a diploma. 22% are high school graduates; 28% have some college but no degree; 8% have an Associate’s degree; 18% have a Bachelor’s degree; and 12% have a Graduate or professional degree.
Tourism, recreation
Tourism is a big industry; it has numerous natural wonders, national forests, parks, and conservation areas. There are multiple caverns which have daily tours, and canyons available for visitation. National parks and reserves for hiking, camping, fishing and boating can be found throughout the region. There are also Apache historical sites, war memorials, museums, tour trains, and mine tours. Golfing is very popular, and there are multiple golf courses across the district.