Competitiveness
The area now in the 1st leaned Democratic for most of the first half of the 20th century, becoming more conservative in nature and dominated by the Republican Party. The GOP held the seat for all but three years from 1949 to 1983. A trend toward the Democrats started in the 1970s with the migration of many environmentally conscious people from the San Francisco Bay Area who wanted to experience their lifestyle in a more open setting. Today, areas in Humboldt and Mendocino counties are known for their artist villages and the production of marijuana crops.
After 20-year incumbent Don Clausen was unseated in 1983, the district was a swing area for most of the next 15 years. The GOP last held the seat in 1998 when U.S. Representative Frank Riggs decided to run for the U.S. Senate. Riggs was replaced by long-time Democratic Assemblyman and State Senator Mike Thompson. Redistricting in 2001 added Democratic-leaning areas of Yolo County.
John Kerry won the district in 2004 presidential election with 59.7% of the vote. Barack Obama carried the district in 2008 presidential election with 65.60% of the vote.
Read more about this topic: California's 1st Congressional District