The Politics of Disaster : Tracking the Impact of Hurricane Andrew

From earthquakes to tornados, elected officials' responses to natural disasters can leave an indelible mark on their political careers. In the midst of the 1992 primary season, Hurricane Andrew overwhelmed South Florida, requiring local, state, and federal emergency responses. The work of many politicians in the storm's immediate aftermath led to a curious "incumbency advantage" in the general election a few weeks later, raising the question of just how much the disaster provided opportunities to effectively "campaign without campaigning." David Twigg uses newspaper stories, scholarly articles, and first person interviews to explore the impact of Hurricane Andrew on local and state political incumbents, revealing how elected officials adjusted their strategies and activities in the wake of the disaster. Not only did Andrew give them a legitimate and necessary opportunity to enhance their constituency service and associate themselves with the flow of external assistance, but it also allowed them to achieve significant personal visibility and media coverage while appearing to be non-political or above "normal" politics. This engrossing case study clearly demonstrates why natural disasters often privilege incumbents. Twigg not only sifts through the post-Andrew election results in Florida, but he also points out the possible effects of other past (and future) disaster events on political campaigns in this fascinating and prescient book. Cover 1 Contents 8 List of Figures 10 List of Tables 12 Preface and Acknowledgments 14 1. Disasters as Political Challenges 16 2. Florida Legislators: Locally Elected State Officials 32 3. The Kaleidoscope of Florida Politics 60 4. Executive Branch Effects? 74 5. Andrew’s First Cavalry: State Officials Respond 85 6. In the Eye: Incumbents from Severely Damaged Cities 122 7. On the Edge: Incumbents from Less Severely Damaged Cities 147 8. Out of the Eye: Incumbents from the Least Severely Damaged Cities 159 9. Disasters as Political Challenges and Opportunities 171 Appendix: Methodology 186 Bibliography 196 Index 218 A 218 B 218 C 218 D 219 E 220 F 220 G 221 H 221 I 222 J 222 K 222 L 222 M 223 N 223 O 223 P 223 Q 224 R 224 S 225 T 225 U 226 V 226 W 226 An Examination Of The Politics Of Disaster On The Local Level Through The Analysis Of Three Levels Of Incumbent Politicians In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Andrew In South Florida. Disasters As Political Challenges -- Florida Legislators: Locally Elected State Officials -- The Kaleidoscope Of Florida Politics -- Executive Branch Effects? -- Andrew's First Cavalry: State Officials Respond -- In The Eye: Incumbents From Severely Damaged Cities -- On The Edge: Incumbents From Less Severely Damaged Cities -- Out Of The Eye: Incumbents From The Least Severely Damaged Cities -- Disasters As Political Challenges And Opportunities. David K. Twigg. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web.