Yesterday, we reported on the lack of response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in Florida’s 5th congressional district. Although the 5th district, on Florida’s western coast, is alarmingly close to the rapidly expanding oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico, both incumbent Ginny Brown-Waite and her handpicked Republican successor Richard Nugent have been completely silent about the disaster. Richard Nugent is now seeking the Republican nomination to represent the district in the House of Representatives, but he has neither provided leadership in response to the oil spill threat nor offered assistance to local communities.

The Democratic candidate in the race, however, has offered a strong voice in defense of the integrity of Florida’s coastline and those who depend upon it for their livelihoods. Speaking about the ongoing Deepwater Horizon crisis yesterday, Jim Piccillo urged against a government bailout of the oil spill containment, urging fiscal responsibility on the part of BP and Transocean instead.

Piccillo stated, “This is not only an environmental disaster, with America’s last living coral reef being threatened as well as natural habitats for untold amounts of marine life, it is also an economic disaster. Our off shore fishing industry is threatened. Our tourism industry is threatened. This could have been prevented with more oversight as well as more prudence from BP. Unfortunately, we are in a reactionary situation. We have to deal with the clean up at this point, for which there is no short-term answer. The burden of this clean up should be the sole responsibility of British Petroleum. As both of my grade school children know, you make the mess, you clean the mess. Taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot a cent when it comes to the clean up bill.”

Instead of merely reacting to the crisis of the moment, Piccillo offered a long term vision to protect Gulf shores from another offshore drilling catastrophe while establishing economic opportunities on shore. Piccillo outlined a policy of stricter oversight, along with growth of a new green energy manufacturing system. Piccillo also presented a position similar to that of Senator Bill Nelson, opposing the expansion of offshore drilling. “We need to make sure there is more oversight of companies that get access to our coastal treasures. I don’t believe that we need to open more offshore drilling in order to supplement our national energy policy. I have said from DAY ONE that my vision is to make the 5th District the Silicon Valley for renewable energy manufacturing. We don’t have to put a wind turbine on every roof but we sure can make them here,” Piccillo explained.

Piccillo’s move to address the lack of leadership in the 5th district suggests a powerful political strategy for congressional candidates in Gulf Coast states. Economic troubles remain the top political issue for this year’s campaigns, but the Deepwater Horizon blowout provides a stark reminder that protecting environmental resources is essential for our nation’s economic security. The merging of environmental issues and economic issues could strengthen the hand of Democratic candidates for the mid-term elections.