Bill McCollum (R)	46%
Bill Nelson (D)	51%

Race Recap:

FloridaÆs famed beaches, coasts, lakes and streams are not only a source of pride for Floridians, but also contribute substantially to the stateÆs economic health.  As a member of Congress, Bill McCollum (R) worked against preserving FloridaÆs natural resources and neglected to support clean water and air standards to protect FloridaÆs families.  McCollum scored a meager seven percent environmental rating for his votes in 2000, and earned a low 26 percent lifetime environmental rating.  Proving his dirty votes are a clear threat to FloridaÆs unique way of life, LCV named him to the Dirty Dozen in his Senate race against challenger Bill Nelson (D).  McCollumÆs attempts at repositioning himself as an environmentalist were deflected by LCVÆs efforts and the Dirty Dozen designation bestowed on him in September.

Key Polling Results:

LCV, working with Greenberg Quinlan Research, Inc., surveyed likely voters in FloridaÆs district from August 20-22 to determine the salience of environmental issues in this region. 

• At the outset, Nelson held a five-point lead over McCollum (40 to 35).  After hearing about McCollumÆs abysmal environmental record, NelsonÆs lead grew to 13 points (44 to 31).  
• Eighty-two percent of Florida respondents said that a candidateÆs environmental record is a top issue when they consider how to vote 
• Sixty-one percent of Floridians cited clean water as their top environmental concern.  McCollumÆs votes to weaken the Clean Water Act and his vote against requiring polluters to reduce the amount of mercury they release into water caused serious doubts in 64 percent of respondents.

Dirty Dozen Campaign Activities:

Total budget:  $25,842.  LCV named Bill McCollum to the Dirty Dozen on September 18, 2000 at a Tallahassee news conference resulting in significant media coverage throughout the state.

Earned Media:  Though McCollum attempted to ægreenwashÆ his with environmental record with Floridian voters, LCV kept a step ahead of him to expose his environmentally damaging votes.  Through strategic events, rapid response efforts, letters to the editor, and news conferences across the state, LCV exposed McCollumÆs poor record for the media and voters alike.  FloridaÆs spectacular waterways provided a perfect backdrop for an event to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and to chide McCollum votes to weaken this landmark Act that brought greatly improved water quality in Florida.  LCVÆs success can be mapped out in the press:  Several papers including the Gainesville Sun, Miami Herald, Palm Beach Post cited McCollumÆs Dirty Dozen designation and poor environmental policies as a major reasons they endorsed Bill Nelson for Senate rather than McCollum this election year.