Alabama's 3rd congressional district

Alabama's Third Congressional District is a U.S. congressional district in Alabama, which elects a representative to the United States House of Representatives. It encompasses Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Lee, Macon, Randolph, Russell, Talladega, and Tallapoosa. It also includes parts of Montgomery and Coosa Counties.

It is currently represented by Republican Mike Rogers, and was formerly represented by Bob Riley, who serves as the current Governor of Alabama.

Character

The third district is centred geographically and culturally around Lineville. The area is heavily influence by the presence of the military - Calhoun country is home to the Anniston Army Depot and formerly home of Fort McClellan until its closure in 1999. Clay county has one of the highest concentrations of guard enlistments and reservists in the state and in fact the south in general. There is also a large military installation located at Phenix City which plays a very large part in the surrounding economy.

Politically this was once the heartland of the Democratic Party, the home of populist white Democrats. However slowly the district's character has come to be affected by new industries - a large manufacturing sector and business brought by the interstate in Talladega County. With the movement of most employment away from farming and the military and into the industrial sectors - and an on average wage rise of 22% over the past 3 years - this area has become one of the more competitive districts in the South. Although Republicans have held the seat since 1997, Democratic challengers can still be competitive in elections and this seat is not quite as safe is its neighbours. George W. Bush won 58% of the vote in this district in 2004. The district has a Cook Partisan Voting Index score of R +4.

Representation

1. ^ Died in office on May 8, 1838.
2. ^ Elected on September 4, 1838 to fill the vacancy left by Lawler.
3. ^ For the 27th Congress all 5 of Alabama's representatives were elected at-large
4. ^ Resigned on April 22, 1844 to fill a Senate vacancy.
5. ^ Elected on December 2, 1844 to fill the vacancy left by Lewis. Resigned on September 1, 1846 for personal reasons.
6. ^ Elected on December 7, 1846 to fill the vacancy left by Yancey
7. ^ Resigned on November 5, 1894 to become governor.
8. ^ Elected on November 6, 1894 to fill the vacancy left by Oates
9. ^ Left office on May 25, 1914 to become a judge.
10. ^ Elected on June 29, 1914 to fill the vacancy left by Clayton
11. ^ Died in office on November 22, 1943
12. ^ Elected on March 14, 1944 to fill the vacancy left by Steagall. Died in office on December 25, 1971.
13. ^ Elected on April 4, 1972 to fill the vacancy left by her husband George.
14. ^ Died in office on December 13, 1988
15. ^ Elected on April 4, 1989 to fill the vacancy left by Nichols.

Election results

2004

Main article: U.S. House election, 2004

External links

• CNN coverage of the 2006 election
• CNN coverage of the 2004 election
• CNN coverage of the 2002 election
• CNN coverage of the 2000 election