 Parker had sought this seat unsuccessfully twice before, in 1994 and 1996, losing both times to Bud Cramer.The 5th was considered one of the few realistic chances for a Republican pickup in what was forecast to be a very bleak year for Republicans because of the district's and state's recent voting history.While Democrats still held most local offices as well as most state legislative seats in the area, the district's residents had become increasingly willing to support Republicans at the national and state level.