Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

TOP NEWS of 2000 - Congressman Ross!

Mike Ross becoming the first congressman from Prescott in nearly a century was one of the top stories for Y2K.

Ross, who was finishing a 10-year career in the state senate, formally announced his intention to seek the position as Fourth Congressional District Representative Monday, March 21.

The announcement was made during a tour of the district, as Ross stopped in Prescott, Texarkana, El Dorado, Pine Bluff and Hot Springs.

Ross had to contend with three other democratic hopefuls in DeWayne Graham, Judy Smith and Bruce Harris.

The quartet held a series of debates to let voters get to know where they stood on different issues in the race.

Ross and Graham wound up in a runoff following the primary election in May, with Ross pummeling Graham six weeks later.

Ross kept the roads of the district hot, visiting as many people and places as possible.

There was no debate between Ross and incumbent Jay Dickey, R, as the two couldn't agree on specifics.

However, the two did meet and exchange pleasantries at the annual Chicken and Egg Festival in June.

A debate was scheduled between the two for Oct. 24, but Dickey canceled at the last, instead sending his son, Ted, to stand in.

When Nov. 7 rolled around, voters in the Fourth District, it literally took all night to reach a decision.

But, after the smoke cleared, Ross pulled out a 107,895 to 104,117 win over Dickey.

Ross won 18 of the 26 counties in the district. Dickey carried Cleveland, Columbia, Drew, Grant, Montgomery, Pike and Garland counties.