Butterfield will be seeking re-election in 2012; the district is expected to strongly favor Democrats.

Between 1988 and 2000, professionals favored Democrats by a 12-percentage point margin.

Party strength in the county favors Democrats; however, the independent vote could be crucial to the outcome.

The new 9th district, an open seat located south of Orlando, is expected to favor Democrats.

Consequently, the districts may be drawn to favor Democrats.

The 6th district is expected to continue to strongly favor Democrats.

Polls show that the environment issue repeatedly favors Democrats.

This would result in a new set of congressional districts with boundaries that favored Democrats.

About 62 percent Hispanics (of any race) in the area are declared or favor Democrats.

But voters favor Democrats over Republicans as stewards of the economy by 51 to 36 percent.