Must be location indeed. In the Silicon Valley, it is this way. In Southern California, it is this way. In Denver, it is this way. On all major security mailing lists across the world, it is this way.
Hell, take a look at MoveOn.org. Launched by Silicon Valley's nouveau rich (and turbo-Red) millionaires. Show me any Conservative activist who's done as much in the high tech field who wasn't previously established in another non-tech field first. 'Cause I've been looking around for the powerhouse equivalent of MoveOn in the Republican/Conservative side and I ain't seein' it.
As it stands, I'm one of only two conservatives I know in computer and network security circles. The other one lives in Pennsylvania.
I'm here in Sunnyvale. Been working in Semiconductor Capital equipment for ten-years ... it is not all one way or the other.