UNF poll shows 61% of voters prioritize environment in Florida Senate race

Florida’s likely voters have chosen protecting the environment over economic growth by more than two to one, a University of North Florida poll showed last week, with 61 percent saying state and local officials should prioritize the environment in the upcoming Senate race. The poll was conducted among likely primary voters in a state where climate‑related issues dominate the political conversation.

The result matters because Florida faces mounting pressure from data‑center developers, soaring power bills and an ever‑more active hurricane season. Data centers, which consume massive amounts of electricity, have been courting the state with promises of jobs and tax revenue, but they also raise concerns about grid reliability and carbon emissions. At the same time, utility companies have warned that residential power costs could climb sharply as they upgrade infrastructure to withstand stronger storms. Voters are therefore weighing short‑term economic incentives against long‑term climate resilience. The Senate race pits incumbent Republican Marco Rubio, who has emphasized economic growth and deregulation, against Democratic challenger Val Demings, who has framed the contest as a choice between “business as usual” and a “green recovery.”

The poll’s 61 percent figure eclipses previous surveys that showed a near‑even split on the issue. Environmental groups seized on the data, with the Sierra Club’s Florida chapter calling it “a clear mandate for climate action.” Rubio’s campaign dismissed the poll as “an outlier” and warned that restricting data‑center expansion could cost the state up to $5 billion in investment. Demings, meanwhile, pointed to the same numbers as proof that Floridians want stronger building codes, renewable‑energy incentives and a statewide plan to harden the grid against hurricanes. Utility regulators have already begun drafting proposals for a “climate resilience fund” that would draw on a small surcharge on electricity bills, a move that could become a flashpoint in the campaign.

The race heads to the March primary, with the general election slated for November. If the environmental priority holds, candidates will need to outline concrete policies on renewable energy, grid upgrades and data‑center regulation. Lawmakers could see new legislation aimed at reducing carbon footprints while protecting the power grid from storm damage. The outcome will shape how Florida balances its booming tech sector with the urgent need to safeguard its coastlines and communities from climate threats.