Rhode Island

Congressional Races:
Districts: 1 | 2

Senatorial Race

Population (1994): 997,000 (down 0.7% from 1990), 0.4% of U.S. total

Voting-age population: 764,000; 1994 turnout, 46%

Median age: 34 years

Median household income: $31,928 ($336 below U.S. median)

Unemployment: 5.1% (0.5% below U.S. average, March 1996)

Last presidential election:

Clinton (D): 47%

Bush (R): 29%

Perot (I): 23%

Congressional delegation: Three Democrats, one Republican

"Little Rhody" may be the smallest state, but it doesn't lack character. Once a haven for political refugees from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, the free spirit survived the Revolution, and Rhode Island was the last of original 13 states to join the new Union. This year's election continues the tradition of political unrest: Claiborne Pell, an Ocean State Senator since 1960, is retiring, and Jack Reed is leaving his House seat as he attempts to succeed Pell. In this Democratic state, the g.o.p. hopes to capitalize on these vacancies, building on their success in 1994, when voters elected a g.o.p. Governor and re-elected Republican John Chafee to the Senate.

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