Climate change is no longer a distant concern—it’s here, and it’s shaping elections. I am running for Congress in the traditionally right-leaning District 12 in Florida. Working firsthand with the victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton (which went right through my district), I’ve witnessed that voters are furious.
As these disasters grow more frequent and powerful, there is a noticeable trend among traditionally right-wing voters voicing their astonishment and concern about disaster intensification. I keep hearing similar responses from voters who typically would vote Republican: “How and why do these things keep happening to us?” This quote is from John, a voter in my district who has switched from voting Republican to Democratic for the first time in his life. “I don’t understand all this climate stuff, but it’s true that it’s changing. I don’t see my party doing anything about it. If you Democrats are looking to tackle this head-on, it’s something I can respect and get behind.”
John’s sentiments reflect many people in my district who have suffered from not one, but two hurricanes back-to-back in less than a month. Research shows that personal experiences with extreme weather events influence public opinion and political behavior. People affected by climate disasters are more likely to vote for candidates with strong environmental platforms, especially at the local level.
This trend is particularly visible in disaster-prone states like Florida and California, where new voters are registering in response to rising insurance costs, displacement, and damaged infrastructure due to storms. They are finally connecting the dots to Republican malfeasance and denial.
I am one of many candidates in the Democratic Party offering solutions that resonate with these new climate voters. Legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and proposals for Green New Deal initiatives, like mine in Florida, address the climate crisis head-on by promoting renewable energy, upgrading infrastructure, and creating green jobs. Meanwhile, Republican leaders, who work for interests other than those of their constituents, continue to deny the severity of the crisis and block meaningful action—leaving their voters exposed, ill-prepared, and increasingly angry that nothing is being done to address the overall issue and protect them in the process.
This shift toward climate-conscious voting is both a challenge and an opportunity. As disasters become more frequent, the electorate will continue to evolve, driven by personal experiences of climate hardship. This study linked below shows that as disasters increase, so too do the chances of Harris winning the presidential ticket and Democrats carrying the Senate:
Data for Progress.
Climate Voters were a significant minority in the 2020 election. They’ve only grown in strength.
In 2024 and beyond, the message is clear: Climate action isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s becoming a defining force in American politics. For Democrats, embracing this movement could reshape both the electorate and the future of the planet.
Your support and contributions to my past diaries have helped keep my campaign alive and assisted those impacted by the storms. As my campaign becomes less of a ‘dark horse’ with each passing day, I hope you will find renewed value in continuing to support my efforts.
Here is my ActBlue page: secure.actblue.com/...
My name is Rock Aboujaoude, Jr. I am running for Congress in Florida’s District 12 with a campaign focused on climate change. I will start my PhD program in January, 2025.
