Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district

"OK-2" redirects here. OK-2 may also refer to Oklahoma State Highway 2.
Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district
Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district - since January 3, 2013.
Current Representative Markwayne Mullin (RWestville)
Distribution 35.51% urban, 64.49% rural
Population (2000) 690,131
Median income $27,885
Ethnicity 71.1% White, 4.1% Black, 0.3% Asian, 2.4% Hispanic, 17.1% Native American, 0.6% other
Cook PVI R+14[1]

Oklahoma's Second Congressional District is one of five United States Congressional districts in Oklahoma and covers approximately one-fourth of the state in the east. The district borders Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Texas and includes (in whole or in part) a total of 24 counties.[2]

Historically, the district has supported conservative Democrats, and was reckoned as a classic Yellow Dog Democrat district. However, the district has become increasingly Republican since the start of the 21st century; in the last two elections the Republican presidential candidate has carried it by the largest margin in the state. Urban voters represent a third of the district.[3]

The district is represented by Republican Markwayne Mullin, only the second Republican to hold the seat since 1921.

Geography

The district borders Kansas to the north, Missouri and Arkansas to the east, and Texas (along the Red River) to the south. The district includes the remainder of Rogers County (including the county seat of Claremore) that is not taken by District 1, and then, also, all of the following counties: Adair, Nowata, Craig, Ottawa, Mayes, Delaware, Cherokee, Okmulgee, Muskogee, Sequoyah, Okfuskee, McIntosh, Haskell, LeFlore, Hughes, Pittsburg, Latimer, Coal, Atoka, Pushmataha, McCurtain, Choctaw, Bryan, and Johnston.[2]

Some of the principal cities in the district include Miami, Claremore, Muskogee, Tahlequah, Okmulgee, McAlester, and Durant.

The northern half of the district includes most of the area of Oklahoma referred to as Green Country, while the southern half of the district includes a part of Oklahoma often referred to as Little Dixie.

Demographics

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the district is 35.51 percent urban, 23.95 percent non-white, and has a population that is 2.40 percent Latino and 1.36 percent foreign-born.[3] The district has a higher percentage of Native Americans than any other congressional district in Oklahoma, with Native Americans tending to vote for Democratic candidates.[4] Its representative, Markwayne Mullin, is one of two Native Americans currently serving in Congress.[5]

Recent election results

Presidential races

Year Results
2000 Bush 53% - 47%
2004 Bush 59% - 41%
2008 McCain 66% - 34%

U.S. Representative, 2004

Candidates Party Votes %
  Dan Boren Democratic 179,579 65.89%
  Wayland Smalley Republican 92,963 34.11%

Source: 2004 Election Results, via OK.gov

U.S. Representative, 2006

Candidates Party Votes %
  Dan Boren Democratic 122,347 72.74%
  Patrick K. Miller Republican 45,861 27.26%

Source: 2006 Election Results, via OK.gov

U.S. Representative, 2008

Candidates Party Votes %
  Dan Boren Democratic 173,757 70.47%
  Raymond Wickson Republican 72,815 29.53%

Source: 2008 Election Results, via OK.gov

U.S. Representative, 2010

Candidates Party Votes %
  Dan Boren Democratic 108,203 56.52%
  Charles Thompson Republican 83,266 43.48%

Source: 2006 Election Results, via OK.gov

Politics

The district heavily favored conservative Democratic candidates, with only three Republicans taking the district. The district shifted Republican most notably in electing Tom Coburn, who vacated the seat due to a self-imposed term limit pledge (He was elected to the United States Senate 4 years later). It has since been held by Brad Carson and Dan Boren. In 2012 the 2nd has again elected a Republican to the House and current Rep is Markwayne Mullin and a Pentecostal.

The district's Democratic leanings stem partly from historic migration patterns into the state. The Little Dixie region of the district imported the people and culture of southern states such as Mississippi after Reconstruction.[6] Voter registration in Little Dixie runs as high as 90 percent Democratic.[6] Additionally, Native Americans in the region tend to vote for Democratic candidates and they have helped Demcoratic candidates win statewide elections.[4]

Historically this is where Democratic presidential candidates perform best in the state. Bill Clinton easily carried the district in 1992 and 1996. However, the district has been swept up in the growing Republican trend in Oklahoma. George W. Bush received 59 percent of the vote in this district in 2004. John McCain received 66 percent of the vote in this district in 2008.

Muskogee has produced six representatives, more than any other city in the district. Tahlequah has produced three representatives, the second most of any city in the district.

List of representatives

Name Party Years Electoral history
Elmer L. Fulton Democratic November 16, 1907 –
March 3, 1909
Elected in 1907.
Lost re-election.
Dick T. Morgan Republican March 4, 1909 –
March 3, 1915
First elected in 1908.
Re-elected in 1910.
Re-elected in 1912.
Redistricted to the 8th district.
William Hastings Democratic March 4, 1915 –
March 3, 1921
First elected in 1914.
Re-elected in 1916.
Re-elected in 1918.
Lost re-election.
Alice Robertson Republican March 4, 1921 –
March 3, 1923
Elected in 1920.
Lost re-election.
William Hastings Democratic March 4, 1923 –
January 3, 1935
Again elected in 1922.
Re-elected in 1924.
Re-elected in 1926.
Re-elected in 1928.
Re-elected in 1930.
Re-elected in 1932.
Retired
John C. Nichols Democratic January 3, 1935 –
July 3, 1943
First elected in 1934.
Re-elected in 1936.
Re-elected in 1938.
Re-elected in 1940.
Re-elected in 1942.
Resigned to become vice president of Transcontinental & Western Air, Inc.
Vacant July 3, 1943 –
March 28, 1944
William G. Stigler Democratic March 28, 1944 –
August 21, 1952
First elected to finish Nichols's term.
Re-elected in 1944.
Re-elected in 1946.
Re-elected in 1948.
Re-elected in 1950.
Died.
Vacant August 21, 1952 –
January 3, 1953
Ed Edmondson Democratic January 3, 1953 –
January 3, 1973
First elected in 1952.
Re-elected in 1954.
Re-elected in 1956.
Re-elected in 1958.
Re-elected in 1960.
Re-elected in 1962.
Re-elected in 1964.
Re-elected in 1966.
Re-elected in 1968.
Re-elected in 1970.
Retired to run for U.S. Senate.
Clem McSpadden Democratic January 3, 1973 –
January 3, 1975
Elected in 1972.
Retired to run for Governor of Oklahoma.
Ted Risenhoover Democratic January 3, 1975 –
January 3, 1979
First elected in 1974.
Re-elected in 1976.
Lost re-election.
Mike Synar Democratic January 3, 1979 –
January 3, 1995
First elected in 1978.
Re-elected in 1980.
Re-elected in 1982.
Re-elected in 1984.
Re-elected in 1986.
Re-elected in 1988.
Re-elected in 1990.
Re-elected in 1992.
Lost renomination.
Tom Coburn Republican January 3, 1995 –
January 3, 2001
First elected in 1994.
Re-elected in 1996.
Re-elected in 1998.
Retired to practice medicine.
Brad Carson Democratic January 3, 2001 –
January 3, 2005
First elected in 2000.
Re-elected in 2002.
Retired to run for U.S. Senate.
Dan Boren Democratic January 3, 2005 –
January 3, 2013
First elected in 2004.
Re-elected in 2006.
Re-elected in 2008.
Re-elected in 2010.
Retired
Markwayne Mullin Republican January 3, 2013 –
Present
First elected in 2012.
Re-elected in 2014.

Historical district boundaries

2003 - 2013

See also

References

Coordinates: 35°00′N 95°42′W / 35.0°N 95.7°W / 35.0; -95.7

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