By: James Kennedy
I’ve spoken with county commissioners over the years, and one issue comes up more than any other: water. Clean, reliable water is the foundation of Southwest Florida. It affects our drinking water, our economy, property values, tourism, fishing, agriculture, and the quality of life that brought so many of us here. That’s why it’s baffling to see concern for clean water dismissed as somehow “liberal.”
Amanda Cochran has come under attack for receiving the endorsement of VoteWater, an organization dedicated to protecting Florida’s water resources. Rather than debate Amanda’s own positions, critics have focused on who else VoteWater has endorsed. That’s guilt by association, and it ignores the question voters should actually be asking: Does Amanda understand the importance of protecting Lee County’s water, and will she make it a priority?
An endorsement is not a contract. It doesn’t mean a candidate agrees with every opinion held by every person connected to an organization. It simply means that organization believes the candidate takes an issue seriously. In Amanda’s case, that’s responsible growth, sound infrastructure, and protecting the natural resources that make Southwest Florida worth living in. VoteWater has endorsed conservative Republicans before, including Congressman Brian Mast and Ron DeSantis during his 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary campaign. The notion that caring about clean water is somehow a “liberal” position simply isn’t supported by the facts.
The idea that Republicans shouldn’t care about clean water turns conservative principles upside down. Republicans in Southwest Florida own businesses, work the land, fish, boat, hunt, ranch, and raise families here. We know that polluted waterways, algae blooms, sewage spills, and failing infrastructure don’t just hurt the environment. They hurt jobs, property values, tourism, and local businesses.
Protecting water is also good fiscal policy. Preventing pollution costs far less than forcing taxpayers to pay for massive cleanup projects after the damage is done.
People will always disagree about the best way to protect our water. There are honest debates to be had about regulations, private property rights, infrastructure, and growth management. That’s healthy. But expecting county commissioners to understand water issues shouldn’t be controversial.
Commissioners make decisions every week that affect land use, utilities, stormwater, and development. Those decisions shape Lee County for decades. Electing leaders who recognize the value of clean water isn’t a partisan statement. It’s common sense.
If anything, earning the support of an organization focused on protecting Florida’s water should be viewed as a positive. It shows that people who care deeply about one of our region’s greatest assets believe Amanda Cochran understands what’s at stake. She shouldn’t have to apologize for that.
Clean water doesn’t belong to Republicans or Democrats. It belongs to everyone who calls Southwest Florida home. Republicans care about clean water because we care about strong communities, a healthy economy, private property, and leaving our children something worth inheriting.
Protecting clean water isn’t liberal. It’s responsible. It’s conservative. And it’s exactly what Lee County should expect from its elected leaders.
