U.S. House, Florida - 16th District
South central -- Port St. Lucie, parts of Port Charlotte and Wellington
Race Forecast: Leans Republican
2008: Rep.
2006:
Democrat
Race Information
- Incumbent: Tom Rooney, R
- First Elected: 2008 (1st term)
- Last Elected: (%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: Leans Republican
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
The 16th sprawls over south-central Florida, connecting wealthy east coast communities with Charlotte Harbor on the west coast. In between, rural Floridians raise cattle and grow sugar cane, particularly around Lake Okeechobee. The 16th envelops the west side of the lake and also takes in most of St. Lucie County’s white population near the Atlantic Ocean. With the lake and beaches, the environment is a significant issue here.
The district’s coast-to-coast geography has proved to be more of a curse than a blessing in recent years as three hurricanes — Frances, Jeanne and Wilma — have come ashore in the 16th, causing billions of dollars in damage. Although armed with federal aid, local agriculture is still vulnerable.
St. Lucie County, the 16th’s most populous jurisdiction, accounts for about one-fourth of residents. The 16th’s share of St. Lucie — including all of Port St. Lucie and some of Fort Pierce and Lakewood Park — has a slight Republican lean. The district’s portion of Martin County is older and more Republican. Two months after a scandal involving its GOP House member, the usually Republican 16th, known for high voter turnout, elected a Democrat to the House.
Fast-growing Port St. Lucie is within commuting distance to major area cities, and its affordable housing market has attracted many new residents who are fleeing skyrocketing housing prices in southern Florida.
Major Industry
Agriculture, government, health care
Cities
Port St. Lucie, 88,769; Port Charlotte (pt.) (unincorp.), 39,610; Wellington (pt.), 35,797
notable
LaBelle hosts the Swamp Cabbage Festival at the end of each February.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 639,295
- Under 18: 21%
- Over 65: 25%
- Married: 62.3%
- Non-Hispanic White: 82%
- Black: 6%
- Hispanic: 10%
- Asian: 1%
- Foreign Born: 10.1%
- Language other than English: 13.8%
- Median Household Income: 39,408
- Owner Occupied Housing: 82%
- Income above $200k: 2.5
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 57.5%
- Blue Collar: 25.2%
- Services: 17.3%
- Bachelor's Degree: 20%
- Graduate Education: 7.1%
- Civilian Veterans: 95,565
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Tom Rooney (R) | 209,874 | 60.1% |
| Tim Mahoney (D) | 139,373 | 39.9% | ||
| 2006 | general | Tim Mahoney (D) | 115,832 | 49.5% |
| Mark Foley (Joe Negron) (R) | 111,415 | 47.7% | ||
| Emmie Ross (X) | 6,526 | 2.8% | ||
| 2004 | general | Mark Foley (R) | 215,563 | 68% |
| Jeff Fisher (D) | 101,247 | 32% | ||
| 2002 | general | Mark Foley (R) | 176,171 | 78.9% |
| Jack McLain (CNSTP) | 47,169 | 21.1% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 45% | George W. Bush: 55% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 46% | George W. Bush: 52% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAHONEY, TIM (D) | November 24, 2008 | $3,056,795.00 | $3,081,582.00 | $170,000.00 | $1,818,970.00 | $30,702.00 | |
| ROONEY, TOM (R) | November 24, 2008 | $1,804,059.00 | $1,812,083.00 | $69,200.00 | $1,146,155.00 | $3,636.00 | $69,675.00 |
| HARRELL, GAYLE (R) | September 30, 2008 | $771,047.00 | $750,666.00 | $4,527.00 | $652,196.00 | $20,380.00 | $25,000.00 |
| FOLEY, MARK A (R) | September 30, 2008 | $373,403.00 | $849,964.00 | $1,200,988.00 | |||
| VALECHE, HAL (R) | September 30, 2008 | $1,280,975.00 | $1,264,485.00 | $1,000.00 | $572,945.00 | $16,490.00 | $650,000.00 |
| NEGRON, JOE (R) | September 30, 2007 | $7,193.00 | $7,193.00 | ||||
