Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida endorses only one candidate in CD-17 primary: Allen Spence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 22, 2026

Community leaders speak at "How Much Growth Is Too Much" at Hotel Venezia in Venice, Fla. (June 25, 2026). L-r: Nancy Simpson, Allen Spence, Earle Ford, Manny Lopez, Andrea Doria Kale.

SARASOTA, Fla. (July 22, 2026) — The Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida (DECF) has endorsed Allen Spence for Congress in Florida's 17th Congressional District, making him the only candidate in the Democratic primary to receive the group's endorsement.

The D.E.C.F. endorses candidates who demonstrate a commitment to advancing policies that address Florida's environmental and climate challenges.

"I am deeply honored to earn the endorsement of the Democratic Environmental Caucus and to join leaders like Congressman Maxwell Frost, Congresswoman Kathy Castor and our next Governor, David Jolly, among the caucus's endorsed candidates," said Spence. "Protecting Southwest Florida's clean water, beaches, wildlife and natural resources isn't just about preserving our environment. It's about protecting our economy, lowering costs for families, supporting tourism and agriculture and ensuring future generations can enjoy the Florida we love."

The endorsement recognizes Spence's leadership on environmental issues throughout the campaign. He is the only candidate in the Democratic primary with a comprehensive environmental plan and the only candidate to host a public town hall dedicated to Southwest Florida's environmental challenges, including overdevelopment, clean water and the impacts of large A.I. data centers on the region's water supply, electrical grid and quality of life.

Spence's "Keep It Wild" plan calls for a national A.I. data center moratorium, shifting A.I.'s costs onto A.I. users instead of communities, and a fertilizer runoff permit market to curb pollution. It mandates insurance risk-sharing across regions, criminal penalties for F.E.M.A. officials who misuse funds and 90-day F.E.M.A. reimbursements with annual audits. The plan targets 250,000 acres of Wildlife Corridor protection and 100,000 acres of wetland restoration, strengthens water safety through 24-hour contamination alerts and monthly testing, and holds polluters accountable for PFAS cleanup. It also provides up to 75% in hurricane retrofit costs (capped at $15,000) and a Greenbelt tax credit to protect farmland.

The statewide endorsement builds on Spence's growing support among environmental leaders. Earlier this month, Austin Nichols, former Secretary and Board Member-at-Large of the Environmental Caucus of Sarasota County, endorsed Spence, praising his commitment to protecting Southwest Florida's environment and advocating for responsible growth.

"Southwest Florida is on the front lines of environmental change," Spence said. "We face stronger storms, rising insurance costs, harmful algal blooms, overdevelopment and increasing pressure on our water resources. These aren't partisan issues. They're Florida issues, and we need practical, science-based solutions that protect both our environment and our economy."

The D.E.C.F. endorsement adds to the growing coalition of organizations and community leaders supporting Spence's campaign as Democrats prepare to vote in the August 18 primary.

For more information about Allen Spence and his campaign, visit Spence2026.com.

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