Oklahoma's 2nd congressional district

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.^[1]

Historically, the district has supported conservative Democratic candidates to the United States Congress. Urban voters represent a third of the district.^[2]

As of 2011^[update], the district is represented by Democrat Dan Boren, who will retire in 2012.

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.^[1]

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

The northern half of district 2 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.^[2]

Recent election results

Presidential races

U.S. Representative, 2004

Source: 2004 Election Results, via OK.gov

U.S. Representative, 2006

Source: 2006 Election Results, via OK.gov

U.S. Representative, 2008

Source: 2008 Election Results, via OK.gov

U.S. Representative, 2010

Source: 2006 Election Results, via OK.gov

Politics

The district has 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.

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.^[3] Voter registration in Little Dixie runs as high as 90 percent Democratic.^[3]

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 favored Republican presidential candidates recently. 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 reprentatives, the second most of any city in the district.

List of representatives

References

• Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. 
• Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. 
• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present