U.S. House, Arizona - 5th District
Scottsdale; Tempe; parts of Phoenix and Mesa
Race Forecast: Leans Democratic
2008: Rep.
2006:
Mitchell is vulnerable in his quest for a second term given the Republican lean of this district. Mitchell is the former mayor of Tempe who Republicans concede is likeable, but who they argue has been too passive a presence in the House and is closely tied to the liberal Democratic agenda. The Republican candidate, former Maricopa County Treasurer David Schweikert, has the backing of the anti-tax Club for Growth while the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has put significant resources toward defending Mitchell as one of the party’s “Frontline Democrats.”
Race Information
- Incumbent: Rep. Harry E. Mitchell, D
- First Elected: 2006 (1st term)
- Last Elected: 2006 (50.41%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: Leans Democratic
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
Wealth, beautiful sunsets and conservative politics abound in the 5th, which takes in a sliver of Phoenix and then spreads east to Tempe, Scottsdale and the western parts of Chandler and Mesa.
With luxury resorts, golf courses, museums, art galleries, spring baseball and warm air, the 5th relies on the success of its hospitality and tourism industries, and caters to both business travelers and vacationers. Scottsdale has been successful, hosting the PGA Tour’s FBR Open and its 500,000 fans. The 5th’s part of Phoenix includes the zoo and the Desert Botanical Garden. Salt River and Fort McDowell Indian reservations bring guests to casinos, and Scottsdale Pavilions shopping mall, inside Salt River, is an example of development between private business and American Indian communities.
Health care represents a growing sector of the 5th’s economy, and health businesses — including Mayo Clinic research facilities and Caremark, a pharmaceutical benefits management firm — employ many here.
Scottsdale and Fountain Hills draw retirees and their bank accounts — both places have higher incomes and median ages than the state and nation. Farther south, Tempe, home of Arizona State University, has a median age under 30. Its more liberal voters offset, but do not heavily endanger, the 5th’s GOP bent. Republicans hold a 16-point voter registration edge here, and George W. Bush won the district by 9 points in 2004.
Major Industry
Tourism, education, health care
Cities
Scottsdale, 202,705; Tempe, 158,625; Mesa (pt.), 96,622; Phoenix (pt.), 85,765
notable
Taliesin West in Scottsdale was Frank Lloyd Wright’s winter home, and the Taliesin Fellowship seeks to continue his work.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 641,329
- Under 18: 22.6%
- Over 65: 10.2%
- Married: 51.6%
- Non-Hispanic White: 77%
- Black: 3%
- Hispanic: 13%
- Asian: 3%
- Foreign Born: 10.7%
- Language other than English: 16%
- Median Household Income: 51,780
- Owner Occupied Housing: 63.0%
- Income above $200k: 4.1
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 73.1%
- Blue Collar: 14.3%
- Services: 12.6%
- Bachelor's Degree: 40%
- Graduate Education: 13.5%
- Civilian Veterans: 61,796
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Harry Mitchell (D) | 149,033 | 53.2% |
| David Schweikert (R) | 122,165 | 43.6% | ||
| Warren Severin (LIBERT) | 9,158 | 3.3% | ||
| Ralph Hughes (Write-In) | 9 | |||
| 2006 | general | Harry Mitchell (D) | 101,838 | 50.4% |
| J.D. Hayworth (R) | 93,815 | 46.4% | ||
| Warren Severin (LIBERT) | 6,357 | 3.2% | ||
| 2004 | general | J.D. Hayworth (R) | 159,455 | 59.5% |
| Elizabeth Rogers (D) | 102,363 | 38.2% | ||
| Michael Kielsky (LIBERT) | 6,189 | 2.3% | ||
| 2002 | general | J.D. Hayworth (R) | 103,870 | 61.2% |
| Craig Columbus (D) | 61,559 | 36.2% | ||
| Warren Severin (LIBERT) | 4,383 | 2.6% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 45% | George W. Bush: 54% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 43% | George W. Bush: 53% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KING, LARRY (D) | September 30, 2008 | $9,434.00 | $34,792.00 | ||||
| HAYWORTH, JD (R) | February 21, 2008 | $26,960.00 | $227,590.00 | ||||
| MITCHELL, HARRY E (D) | November 24, 2008 | $2,437,494.00 | $2,291,682.00 | $146,500.00 | $1,555,785.00 | $166,805.00 | |
| OGSBURY, JAMES DONOVAN (R) | September 30, 2008 | $513,028.00 | $366,983.00 | $1,500.00 | $253,528.00 | $146,042.00 | $250,000.00 |
| SMITH, SUSAN BITTER (R) | September 30, 2008 | $470,422.00 | $464,791.00 | $3,000.00 | $141,570.00 | $5,630.00 | $275,000.00 |
| KNAPEREK, LAURA (R) | October 15, 2008 | $205,502.00 | $205,501.00 | $155,259.00 | $15,802.00 | ||
| ANDERSON, MARK (R) | September 30, 2008 | $149,256.00 | $149,189.00 | $137,388.00 | $65.00 | ||
| HATCH-MILLER, JEFFREY MARK (R) | March 31, 2008 | $90,068.00 | $89,823.00 | $72,678.00 | $245.00 | $17,000.00 | |
| SCHWEIKERT, DAVID (R) | November 24, 2008 | $1,419,590.00 | $1,413,750.00 | $33,500.00 | $1,026,302.00 | $5,839.00 | $250,000.00 |
| GENTRY, LEE ADAM (R) | September 30, 2008 | $20,125.00 | $18,166.00 | $525.00 | $1,957.00 | $15,000.00 | |
