U.S. House, Alabama - 5th District
North -- Huntsville
Race Forecast: No Clear Favorite
2008: Parker Griffith (D) vs. Wayne Parker (R)
2006:
State Sen. Parker Griffith’s race to keep Alabama’s northern district in the hands of Democrats has been slowed by insurance executive Wayne Parker, who has lost two previous bids for the seat – one in 1994 and again in 1996. Both national parties have rallied behind the candidates in this competitive race which was sparked by the retirement of the popular Cramer. It presents one of the few opportunities this year for a Republican takeover. As of the end of Sept., Griffith’s center-right campaign has just more than $1 million in total receipts, split evenly between individual and PAC contributions, with $127,000 cash on hand. Parker is close behind with just under $1 million but about $100,000 more in ending cash.
Race Information
- Incumbent: Parker Griffith, D
- First Elected: 2008 (1st term)
- Last Elected: (%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: No Clear Favorite
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
The Tennessee River winds through the 5th, which stretches across the state’s northern tier and borders Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia. The Tennessee Valley Authority maintains a strong presence along the waterway, and the government and industrial facilities lining the famous river’s shores are vital to the economic well-being of the district.
The federal government fuels the 5th’s employment engine, with many government, defense and contracting jobs here. Huntsville hosts the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, which develops rocket propulsion technology and space flight vehicles, and the Army’s Redstone Arsenal. Home to Army rocket and missile programs, Redstone will gain about 4,800 civilian and contractor jobs as a result of the 2005 BRAC round.
The district’s government jobs are complemented by strong manufacturing, research and technology sectors. Toyota’s first V-8 engine plant outside of Japan opened in Huntsville in 2003 and has since expanded. Huntsville’s 3,843-acre Cummings Research Park has 285 tenants with 25,000 employees, and boasts that it is the second-largest research park in the nation and the fourth-largest in the world.
Among an array of manufacturers, Decatur’s industrial economy includes a Boeing satellite rocket booster plant, a 3M chemical plant and a Nucor steel mill. Agriculture represents a healthy portion of the 5th’s rural economy, and crops include cotton, soybeans and corn.
Voters in the 5th have never sent a Republican to Congress, but GOP presidential candidates are successful here, with George W. Bush winning the district in the 2000 and 2004 elections. Generally, residents are conservative, and Democrats hold many state and local offices.
Major Industry
Defense, government, manufacturing, technology, agriculture
Military Bases
Redstone Arsenal (Army), 2,000 military, 14,528 civilian (2007)
Cities
Huntsville, 158,216; Decatur (pt.), 44,655; Florence, 36,264; Madison, 29,329; Athens, 18,967
notable
“Muscle Shoals Sound” combined country, gospel and rhythm and blues and early hits were cut at Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 635,300
- Under 18: 25%
- Over 65: 12%
- Married: 59.2%
- Non-Hispanic White: 78%
- Black: 17%
- Hispanic: 2%
- Asian: 1%
- Foreign Born: 2.6%
- Language other than English: 4.2%
- Median Household Income: 38,054
- Owner Occupied Housing: 72%
- Income above $200k: 1.3
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 57.1%
- Blue Collar: 30.1%
- Services: 12.9%
- Bachelor's Degree: 23%
- Graduate Education: 7.9%
- Civilian Veterans: 66,728
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Parker Griffith (D) | 158,324 | 51.5% |
| Wayne Parker (R) | 147,314 | 47.9% | ||
| 2006 | general | Robert Cramer (D) | 143,015 | 98.2% |
| 2004 | general | Robert Cramer (D) | 200,999 | 73% |
| Gerald Wallace (R) | 74,145 | 26.9% | ||
| 2002 | general | Robert Cramer (D) | 143,029 | 73.3% |
| Stephen Engel (R) | 48,226 | 24.7% | ||
| Alan Barksdale (LIBERT) | 3,772 | 1.9% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 39% | George W. Bush: 60% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 44% | George W. Bush: 54% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WALLACE, GERALD (R) | March 31, 2006 | ||||||
| MCKEE, RAY (R) | September 30, 2008 | $116,167.00 | $116,164.00 | $28,216.00 | $87,385.00 | ||
| CRAMER, ROBERT E "BUD" JR (D) | September 30, 2008 | $629,909.00 | $762,010.00 | $11,000.00 | $202,750.00 | $1,496,762.00 | |
| FLIPPO, RONNIE G (D) | September 30, 2008 | $4,608.00 | $11,603.00 | $347,129.00 | |||
| MAKER, DAVID JOEL (D) | April 24, 2008 | ||||||
| BARRY, GEORGE C (R) | June 30, 2008 | $20,423.00 | $20,423.00 | $19,577.00 | |||
| MANCUSO, ANGELO "DOC" (R) | June 27, 2008 | $213,050.00 | $147,619.00 | $5,050.00 | $65,430.00 | ||
| PARKER, WAYNE JR. (R) | November 24, 2008 | $1,279,189.00 | $1,277,546.00 | $167,050.00 | $691,424.00 | $1,643.00 | |
| GRIFFITH, PARKER DR. (D) | November 24, 2008 | $1,776,127.00 | $1,761,324.00 | $69,500.00 | $695,527.00 | $11,793.00 | $389,850.00 |
| BASWELL GUTHRIE, CHERYL ANN (R) | September 30, 2008 | $773,036.00 | $772,933.00 | $63,205.00 | $101.00 | $218,312.00 | |
