Broward County: Most Liberal County in FL?

[AspenRose]

I have never been to FL and have no idea about the demographics, but I've seen it mentioned here that Broward County is the most liberal county in FL. A little bit of research showed the "blue" counties this last election included Broward, St. Lucie, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Collier and Palm Beach.

So if a liberal was eying vacation or retirement in Florida, would Broward County be the best place to visit and spend money?

[ixion]

1. depends on what you're looking for

Broward county is no paradise, IMO. It's crowded, frenetic and tends towards extreme violence, especially on the interstate.

If I were given a choice, I would move to Monroe county, which is the Florida Keys, including Key West.

Just my two cents.

[AspenRose]

2. I'm confused about Monroe, politically speaking

The congresswoman is republican, but Monroe county went blue. Sounds like a mixed bag.

Key West looks nice....also appears to be quite diverse

[carpetbagger]

5. The district is mostly not Monroe County

It's the Keys mixed in with Cuban-dominated and wealthy areas around Miami. They gerrymandered it to make it just republican enough (Cook index R+3) for them to hold the seat.

[iamjoy]

3. Orange County, Too

I live in Central Florida and that's my county.

Registered Voters as of 11/4/08

Dem- 266960
Rep- 189609

2008 Presidential Results
Obama- 273,009
McCain- 186,832

It's not totally blue. Although we've gone blue in the past 3 Presidential elections, we've gone red for governor in the past four and we're mixed on Senate. Until 2008, the Congressional seat that takes up most of Orange County was held by a Republican for several years, but that did change with that election.

As for gay rights, in 1998, the city of Orlando erected gay pride flags downtown, in 2000 elected the first openly gay official and in 2002 passed anti-discrimination ordinance and in 2008 extended health benefits to the same-sex partners of municipal workers.

If you want a county that is mixed and where you'll see a lot of annoying conservatives but still have a chance to make a difference, Orange County isn't bad. Depending on where you are from, the number of churches may be shocking.

[ngant17]

11. the Hon. Rep. Alan Grayson represents the people of Orange County

so that should pretty much settle the most liberal county in Florida for the time being.

[CharmCity]

4. A few ideas

I wouldn't call Broward liberal -- however, part of the county is represented by the wonderful Debbie Wasserman-Schultz.
Monroe County is very liberal, actually. Lots of artists, gays, and drop outs.
Alachua County is a college town -- place to find a few smart folks, and even bookstores.
St. Lucie is full of retired people from New Jersey and New York -- they bring their blueness with them.
I suggest a tour starting in Jacksonville, swinging in to catch Gainesville, down to Orlando, then back to the Atlantic route all the way to Key West...

[lovelyrita]

6. If a liberal were looking to move to Florida I would not recommend

Polk County where I live. It has been a culture shock for my husband and I who both grew up in CT.

A close friend that I grew up with lives in Miami and finds it to be an open-minded place to live.

[Ineeda]

7. Still-red Sarasota but getting bluer

Lovely area on the Gulf coast, it's much more laid back than east coast. I'm originally from Boston area and I agree with the culture shock. Because the city of Sarasota is known for its artistic and cultural focus, I expected liberalism or progressivism to be countywide. It's not. It's demographically either very wealthy or very NOT wealthy and the average age of the residents in my city in South County is 68. That tells you a lot. Generally rich, generally old, VERY white, generally (R). Sigh. At least the beaches are nice!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

8. I would say yes...

The Cuban-Americans have turned Miami into GOP Central, the rednecks make up much of the rest of Florida. Palm Beach - who knows? It could go either way but it's a very obnoxious, rich place.

[SteppingRazor]

10. Depending on where you live in Miami, it's far from GOP Central.

Miami Beach is quite blue, and really, the younger generation of Cubans aren't the knee-jerk Republicans that their parents and grandparents were. Within a generation, the political makeup of Miami-Dade County will look nothing like it does today.

[Dirty Hippie]

9. Leon County is blue

Home to Tallahassee, in the northern part of the state.

Not "typical" Florida. Hilly, lots of trees, spanish moss, and it actually gets cold in the winter.

Tallahassee is an education and government town. A bit more recession-proof.