"Pragmatism on Climate Change Trumps Politics at Local Level Across US"

"MIAMI BEACH — As she planned her run for the Florida House of Representatives this year, Kristin Jacobs told her team that she wanted her campaign to address the effects of climate change. Her advisers were initially skeptical, noting that voters typically said they cared about the environment, but considered the issue less urgent than the economy and health care.

Ms. Jacobs, a commissioner for Broward County, pressed her case, arguing that few issues were more critical to residents of southeast Florida than street flooding at high tide — sometimes even on sunny days — and ocean water seeping into their drinking water. “It’s how you ask the question,” she said. “Is clean water important to you?”

Voters have answered yes so far, handing Ms. Jacobs a victory in the Democratic primary in August with more than 76 percent of the vote. Opinion polls suggest she will cruise to victory in November."

John Schwartz reports for the New York Times October 24, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Environment, Climate Unlikely To Tip Scales On Election Day" (Greenwire)

"Environment Is Grabbing Big Role in Ads for Campaigns" (New York Times)