CQPolitics

Mississippi’s only Gulf Coast district, the conservative 4th suffered when Hurricane Katrina landed in 2005, bringing severe damage to coastal towns. Some, such as Biloxi and Gulfport, regrouped relatively quickly, while others, like Waveland and Pass Christian, struggled into 2007.

Biloxi’s economy is driven by casino resorts, but hurricane damage forced the city’s casinos to close. Most reopened by the end of 2005 or in 2006, and some now have plans to build new gaming facilities. The winds, rain and surge also destroyed homes and communities here, as well as fishing reefs in the Mississippi Sound that supported Biloxi’s sportfishing industry. Local and state officials are implementing plans for several mixed-use developments to help attract residents and revenue.

About 8,500 homes in Gulfport were destroyed or damaged by the storm, and the city lost roughly $4 million in property taxes. Dozens of municipal buildings also were destroyed, including a veterans hospital and the Armed Forces Retirement Home. Congress designated money to rebuild the home, but gave ownership of the hospital’s land to the city. Harbor redevelopment plans include restoring piers and boat launches, adding restaurants and retail areas, and renovating Jones Park. Adding to the coast’s economic instability, Naval Station Pascagoula was ordered closed as part of the 2005 BRAC round. Farther north, Hattiesburg experienced an estimated 40 percent increase in population following the hurricane as residents fled inland, despite the fact that many of the city’s homes, businesses and roads were destroyed as well.

A Democrat holds the 4th’s U.S. House seat, and residents will support conservatives of either party. George W. Bush had his best Mississippi showing here (68 percent of the vote) in the 2004 presidential election.

Major Industry

Military, shipbuilding, casinos

Military Bases

Keesler Air Force Base, 7,591 military, 3,632 civilian (2006); Naval Construction Training Center Gulfport, 3,800 military, 1,000 civilian (2007); Naval Oceanographic Office, 104 military, 996 civilian (2006)

Cities

Gulfport, 71,127; Biloxi, 50,644; Hattiesburg, 44,779; Pascagoula, 26,200

Notable

Black Creek is the state’s only National Scenic River.