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| Florida Latino voters: 'we don't think the government represents us' | Florida Latino voters: 'we don't think the government represents us' |
| (1 day later) | |
| Poinciana sits in the heart of the vote-rich Interstate-4 corridor where the battle for Florida – and quite possibly the White House itself – will soon be fought. This is the ultimate swing region, in the ultimate swing state, with Latino voters holding their fingers on the scale. | Poinciana sits in the heart of the vote-rich Interstate-4 corridor where the battle for Florida – and quite possibly the White House itself – will soon be fought. This is the ultimate swing region, in the ultimate swing state, with Latino voters holding their fingers on the scale. |
| "The I-4 corridor generally is divided; whichever party can capture the voters generally does well," explains David Colburn, director of the Reubin O'D. Askew Institute on Politics and Society at the University of Florida. "The southeastern part of the state typically votes Democrat, the northern part and significantly the southwest vote Republican." | "The I-4 corridor generally is divided; whichever party can capture the voters generally does well," explains David Colburn, director of the Reubin O'D. Askew Institute on Politics and Society at the University of Florida. "The southeastern part of the state typically votes Democrat, the northern part and significantly the southwest vote Republican." |
| Poinciana is a bedroom community of 54,000 residents 20 minutes outside Orlando that started out as a retirement development 40 years ago. But the population here is no longer dominated by older, white retirees. Poinciana went from 65% white in 2000 to 51% Hispanic in 2010. Puerto Ricans make up almost 70% of the community's Hispanic population with small numbers of Dominicans, Mexicans and Cubans mixed in. These are the voters who could swing the state – if, that is, they show up to the polls. | Poinciana is a bedroom community of 54,000 residents 20 minutes outside Orlando that started out as a retirement development 40 years ago. But the population here is no longer dominated by older, white retirees. Poinciana went from 65% white in 2000 to 51% Hispanic in 2010. Puerto Ricans make up almost 70% of the community's Hispanic population with small numbers of Dominicans, Mexicans and Cubans mixed in. These are the voters who could swing the state – if, that is, they show up to the polls. |
| While Barack Obama can win a second term without a Florida victory, many analysts see no viable path to the White House for Republican challenger Mitt Romney if he loses the Sunshine State. Voters in Puerto Rico tend to favor Democratic candidates over Republican ones, and registration statistics in central Florida reflect this preference. | While Barack Obama can win a second term without a Florida victory, many analysts see no viable path to the White House for Republican challenger Mitt Romney if he loses the Sunshine State. Voters in Puerto Rico tend to favor Democratic candidates over Republican ones, and registration statistics in central Florida reflect this preference. |
| However, almost a third of Hispanic voters here have no political party preference. It is these voters that Obama and Romney need to woo. | However, almost a third of Hispanic voters here have no political party preference. It is these voters that Obama and Romney need to woo. |
| Bush managed to win 52% of the vote in Poinciana in 2004, but Obama captured nearly 60% in 2008. Some think Romney could have swung Poinciana back to red by choosing the Hispanic Florida senator Marco Rubio as his running mate. Rubio won Poinciana in his 2010 bid for the US Senate, fending off both a Democrat and an independent in a contentious election. | Bush managed to win 52% of the vote in Poinciana in 2004, but Obama captured nearly 60% in 2008. Some think Romney could have swung Poinciana back to red by choosing the Hispanic Florida senator Marco Rubio as his running mate. Rubio won Poinciana in his 2010 bid for the US Senate, fending off both a Democrat and an independent in a contentious election. |
| But to prevail, Romney will have to overcome the sense of disenfranchisement reflected in low turnout among the region's Hispanic population over the years. Whereas Puerto Rico enjoys an 80% voter turnout, that number plummets to 17% among Puerto Ricans living in Florida. | But to prevail, Romney will have to overcome the sense of disenfranchisement reflected in low turnout among the region's Hispanic population over the years. Whereas Puerto Rico enjoys an 80% voter turnout, that number plummets to 17% among Puerto Ricans living in Florida. |
| "There's been very little incentive for candidates to get to know the community issues," Anthony Suarez, a Spanish-language radio host said. | "There's been very little incentive for candidates to get to know the community issues," Anthony Suarez, a Spanish-language radio host said. |
| 'The poster child for the financial crisis' | 'The poster child for the financial crisis' |
| For now, the economy is the top issue on the minds of residents, whether it be concerns over decreased home values or an unemployment rate above the national average. To win votes here, particularly among the politically disenchanted Puerto Rican population, the candidates' economic message needs to be strong. | For now, the economy is the top issue on the minds of residents, whether it be concerns over decreased home values or an unemployment rate above the national average. To win votes here, particularly among the politically disenchanted Puerto Rican population, the candidates' economic message needs to be strong. |
| "In 2006 we were the fastest-growing development community in the nation with waiting lists for houses and unbelievable growth. But during the 2008 recession Poinciana literally became the poster child for the financial crisis," resident Keith Laytham said. | "In 2006 we were the fastest-growing development community in the nation with waiting lists for houses and unbelievable growth. But during the 2008 recession Poinciana literally became the poster child for the financial crisis," resident Keith Laytham said. |
| The growth was spurred on by a boom in the tourism industry around Orlando in the early 2000s. But people stopped taking expensive vacations when the economy deflated, leaving many of these new Latino arrivals without a job. Many are also under water on their housing, having bought homes at inflated prices that can now not be recouped. | The growth was spurred on by a boom in the tourism industry around Orlando in the early 2000s. But people stopped taking expensive vacations when the economy deflated, leaving many of these new Latino arrivals without a job. Many are also under water on their housing, having bought homes at inflated prices that can now not be recouped. |
| Results of a study conducted by the Pew Research Center last year show the median net worth for Hispanic households in Florida dropped by 88% between 2005 and 2009 and the median home value decreased by 72%. Poinciana has some of the highest rates of housing strife in the country – a quarter of its 24,000 homes have fallen into foreclosure in the last four years. "You had people buying $250,000 homes at the height of the boom even though the median income in the county was $28,000," said Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington. | Results of a study conducted by the Pew Research Center last year show the median net worth for Hispanic households in Florida dropped by 88% between 2005 and 2009 and the median home value decreased by 72%. Poinciana has some of the highest rates of housing strife in the country – a quarter of its 24,000 homes have fallen into foreclosure in the last four years. "You had people buying $250,000 homes at the height of the boom even though the median income in the county was $28,000," said Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington. |
| There are signs that the housing market may be bottoming out. And the unemployment rate in the area is finally moving in the right direction after peaking at 11.5% in January 2010, though it still remains slightly above the national average. | There are signs that the housing market may be bottoming out. And the unemployment rate in the area is finally moving in the right direction after peaking at 11.5% in January 2010, though it still remains slightly above the national average. |
| "It's the regular, working stiffs who are affected when there are cutbacks. The majority of the people here work in the hospitality industry or have construction jobs," Poinciana resident Roberto Sanchez said. | "It's the regular, working stiffs who are affected when there are cutbacks. The majority of the people here work in the hospitality industry or have construction jobs," Poinciana resident Roberto Sanchez said. |
| Sanchez, whose parents are from Puerto Rico, moved to the community eight years ago after losing his job in New Jersey. He was laid off from another construction job at the height of the unemployment crisis but has managed to find work as a quality control technician for an asphalt company. | Sanchez, whose parents are from Puerto Rico, moved to the community eight years ago after losing his job in New Jersey. He was laid off from another construction job at the height of the unemployment crisis but has managed to find work as a quality control technician for an asphalt company. |
| He is frustrated with the stalled economy. "We don't think the government represents us. I have issues with both sides – the Democrats because of the unfulfilled promises and the Republicans because it seems they only care about rich, white people." | He is frustrated with the stalled economy. "We don't think the government represents us. I have issues with both sides – the Democrats because of the unfulfilled promises and the Republicans because it seems they only care about rich, white people." |
| Many local Hispanics of Puerto Rican descent feel they are treated as second-class citizens by both parties. "If you go with the Republicans, you're going to be second class to the Cubans. If you go with the Democrats, you're going to be second to the African American community," Suarez said. | Many local Hispanics of Puerto Rican descent feel they are treated as second-class citizens by both parties. "If you go with the Republicans, you're going to be second class to the Cubans. If you go with the Democrats, you're going to be second to the African American community," Suarez said. |
| Overall, though, Suarez sees a contrast between the two main parties ahead of the presidential election. "Right now the Republicans are doing everything they can to ensure Poinciana stays Democrat and the Democrats are doing everything they can to attract them." | Overall, though, Suarez sees a contrast between the two main parties ahead of the presidential election. "Right now the Republicans are doing everything they can to ensure Poinciana stays Democrat and the Democrats are doing everything they can to attract them." |
| Danny Sexton, chairman of the Osceola County Republican party, admits that he has a daunting task ahead of him when it comes to engaging Hispanic voters. "If you're going to win an election in this state, especially from Osceola County south, you've got to figure out how you're gonna appeal to Hispanic voters and independents because Republicans are not going to win if they don't," he said. | Danny Sexton, chairman of the Osceola County Republican party, admits that he has a daunting task ahead of him when it comes to engaging Hispanic voters. "If you're going to win an election in this state, especially from Osceola County south, you've got to figure out how you're gonna appeal to Hispanic voters and independents because Republicans are not going to win if they don't," he said. |
| As chairman of the county's Republican party, it's obvious who Sexton is pulling for. But he has his eyes on a longer-term prize. | As chairman of the county's Republican party, it's obvious who Sexton is pulling for. But he has his eyes on a longer-term prize. |
| "I want people in the state party when this election cycle is over to be able to look at Osceola County and say: 'They got it right, they figured out a way to reach out to an incredibly diverse population, a changing population. A population that 10 years ago looked entirely different than it does today and that we figured out how to appeal to people's best interest.'" | "I want people in the state party when this election cycle is over to be able to look at Osceola County and say: 'They got it right, they figured out a way to reach out to an incredibly diverse population, a changing population. A population that 10 years ago looked entirely different than it does today and that we figured out how to appeal to people's best interest.'" |
| Pueblo factbox | |
| (All demographic data comes from the 2010 US census. Voting information comes from state and local elections officials.) | |
| Population: 53,193 % Hispanic or Latino: 51.2 White: 22.6 Black: 21.3 American Indian/Alaska Native: 0.2 Asian: 1.7 Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.2 Other: 0.7 Mixed Race: 2.2 Total: 100.1 | |
| Per capita income: $17,407 | |
| Voter turnout in 2008*: 23,383 (97.9% of registered voters) Current voter registration: 25,188 Democrat: 12,760 50.6 Republican: 4,668 18.5 No Party Affiliation: 7,038 27.9 Unknown: 752 3 | |
| Winner of the 2008 election in Poinciana: Barack Obama Winner of the 2008 election in Florida: Barack Obama | |
| *Note: These numbers reflect all votes cast at polling places in Poinciana. However, early voters can use any polling place in the county, which means a Poinciana resident may have voted in a neighboring city, and vice versa. As such, the numbers do not reflect the exact turnout among Poinciana residents. |