In 2000, in his second attempt for the seat, he defeated incumbent Ramona Barnes, who had been the first female Speaker of the House, and was previously defeated for renomination to her House seat in 1984 before regaining it two years later.
He defeated incumbent Ramona Barnes. This was in his second attempt for the seat. This was in 2000. He was previously defeated for renomination to her House seat in 1984 before. This was in his second attempt for the seat. This was in 2000. He was regaining it two years later. This was in his second attempt for the seat. This was in 2000. Ramona Barnes had been the first female Speaker of the House.