Similarities in AL-05 and MS-01

I reported with interest earlier today the party switch by Rep. Parker Griffith, who represents the Fifth Congressional District in Alabama. Griffith has been at odds with the Democratic leadership for some time, and the healthcare legislation seemed to drive him over the edge to the GOP’s side.

What should be of interest for Mississippi political observers are the similarities between AL-05 and Mississippi’s First Congressional District. Needless to say, when you cross over Highway 72 into Alabama, there is not a noticeable difference from Tishomingo county.

The two districts are in the Northern portion of their state and are largely rural. MS-01 has Memphis that has created the Desoto county suburbs. AL-05 has Huntsville and Chattanooga, TN which have given life to suburban living. But that is the exception rather than the rule. In addition to the rural tint, residents are also on the lower end of the economic scale with a median income of $38,000 in AL-05 and $36,000 in MS-01. The demographics are fairly similar where 77 percent of AL-05 is white, while 70 percent of MS-01 is. The breakdown of blue and white collar workers is also similar.

The two districts are also shaped by the presence of the Tennessee Valley Authority which has been a fixture in the region since the Depression. The TVA is responsible for what I call TVA Democrats that ruled the political scene for years- and still do today to a certain extent. This is generally someone who is more liberal- or supportive of government- economically. But as the face of the national Democrats moved left on social issues, they have moved right. Politicians known as RWDs (or rural, white Democrats) populate the area.

From 1873 until 1994, MS-01 was represented by a Democrat. Roger Wicker’s fourteen year run ended in 2008 when he moved on to the Senate, and was replaced by a Blue Dog Democrat, Travis Childers. AL-05 has been Democrat since 1869 (with a one year break in 1896 for a Populist) until today. Members of the state legislature from those districts also tend to be Democratic. At the same time, the districts have been supporting Republican presidential candidates since Jimmy Carter. AL-05 has a Cook PVI of R +12, while MS-01 has a Cook PVI of R +14.