Despite recent progress, Democrats suffered some serious backsliding in growing southwest Florida and the Treasure Coast (minus St Lucie County which has acted more as an appendage of southeast Florida, than like northern Palm Beach, Martin or Indian River counties in recent elections) in last November’s election. My explanation for this is simple: when Democrats have done well in this area, the party has been strongly identified with environmental protection, promotion of green technology, restoration of the Everglades and clean water. Both regions are very conservative economically but understand maintenance of a sustainable Florida is critical to positive economic growth.

President Obama’s biggest performance drop-off in the state from 2008 to 2012  was southwest Florida where Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Sarasota were all among the worst 10 counties for Obama as far vote drop from 08′. Indian River and Martin on the Treasure Coast also fit that bill, as do Volusia and Flagler counties in northeast central Florida. In fact the only county that declined at similar rates to these areas for Obama was Sumter where conservative senior growth in the Villages means the population is substantially different today than it was in 2008 and far different than 2004 or 2000.

The de-emphasis of environmental issues by Florida Democrats I have no doubt hurt the Obama campaign in these areas. Martin, Indian River, Charlotte and Collier counties have been traditionally anti-growth and in favor of punishing polluters in order to fund Everglades restoration. In fact, the only area where Congressmen and legislators from these two regions have broken with GOP orthodoxy over the past two decades is on issues related to environmental protection and preservation. Collier has shifted towards a more pro-growth posture recently, but it is not without serious local opposition that this has taken place.

With lots of discussion of Charlie Crist potentially running for Governor, one place he can really help to refocus the party is on environmental issues. Crist’s record is mixed on these issues but historically better than most Republicans and many Democrats. If Crist wants to prove to progressives he can speak the language and corner an issue that for whatever reason Democrats have abandoned he should start by campaigning on green issues in southern portion of the state.

President Obama and VP Biden both visited SW Florida during the campaign but it did little to move votes or increase Democratic turnout. Again, I do not find this surprising as environmental and green technology issues were de-emphasized in Florida in 2012 even though in 1996 they are largely credited with giving Bill Clinton the largest victory margin in the state a Democratic Presidential nominee has enjoyed since 1944.

My hope is that going forward that if Democrats stress environmental issues they can stem a negative tide in these two regions in the future. But we’ll never know if the party has a chance to cut margins in these areas if they do not even try and connect with local concerns and interests.