CQ Politics | District Detail: GA-01 (original) (raw)

CQ 2008 Election Guide

U.S. House, Georgia - 1st District

Southeast -- Savannah suburbs, part of Valdosta

Race Forecast: Safe Republican

Race Information

• Incumbent: Rep. Jack Kingston, R
• First Elected: 1992 (8th term)
• Last Elected: 2006 (68.5%)
• Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
• Race Forecast: Safe Republican

District Information

Politics in America District Profile

As recently as two decades ago, the 1st was a Democratic stronghold of peanut and tobacco farmers. Today, the 1st still relies heavily on agriculture, but its voters now overwhelmingly favor Republicans. Spanning 25 counties in southeast Georgia, the 1st takes in all of the state’s coastline to the east, part of the border with Florida to the south, and primarily rural areas to the north and west. After mid-decade redistricting prior to the 2006 election, the 1st shed a sliver of land running north almost to Macon and acquired two rural northern counties and the rest of Bryan County, near Savannah.

The 1st’s economy is wedded to agriculture — tobacco, peanuts, cotton, carrots and blueberries are among the important crops here. Valdosta, almost all of which is now in the 1st, is a growing city that is home to health care facilities, a state university and major retailers. Manufacturing also retains a presence in the district, and the 1st’s military influence is strong, with three of the state’s major military bases.

Tourism is important here, as retirees and well-off visitors flock to a string of islands known for golf courses and resorts off the coast of Brunswick. Regional tourism hubs Savannah and Brunswick also have active ports (Savannah’s is in the neighboring 12th). The district’s ports and coastline make trade and coastal conservation dominant issues.

The 1st is reliably Republican, with GOP strength in Camden and Glynn counties on the coast and Chatham and Bryan counties near Savannah. Democrats can win, especially at the local level, in Liberty and McIntosh counties and in the 1st’s newly acquired Telfair and Wheeler counties. Rep. Kingston won every county except Telfair in 2006.

Major Industry

Agriculture, military, manufacturing, tourism

Military bases

Fort Stewart (Army), 17,760 military, 3,170 civilian (2007) (shared with the 12th); Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, 4,426 military, 3,635 civilian (2006); Moody Air Force Base, 4,278 military, 375 civilian (2006)

Cities

Valdosta (pt.), 43,708; Hinesville, 30,392; Savannah (pt.), 20,894

Notable

The Okefenokee Swamp — roughly 7000 years old — covers 438,000 acres and is home to about 10,000 alligators and 233 species of birds.

Demographics (2000 census)

Population: 629,761

Under 18: 27.5%

Over 65: 10.6%

Married: 60%

Non-Hispanic White: 71%

Black: 23%

Hispanic: 4%

Asian: 1%

Foreign Born: 4%

Language other than English: 6.5%

Median Household Income: 36,158

Owner Occupied Housing: 71.4%

Income above $200k: 1.6

Workforce/Education (2000 census)

White Collar: 53%

Blue Collar: 31.8%

Services: 14.9%

Bachelor's Degree: 18%

Graduate Education: 6.7%

Civilian Veterans: 72,051

District Election History

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Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race