On his way to a campaign event in Tallahassee, United States Senate hopeful Marco Rubio stopped to speak to about 50 supporters on Tuesday afternoon at the Swamp Restaurant on
University Avenue.
"I spent four years of my life here," said Rubio, who graduated from UF in 1993. "Gainesville is a very important community to me and within the state of Florida."
With Governor Charlie Crist cutting his ties with the Republican Party early this summer to run as an independent, Rubio is expected to win the upcoming Republican Florida senate primary.
Rubio acknowledged the peculiarity of a three- way race this November, which also features Democratic hopeful Kendrick Meek, but he still addressed the crowd of supporters at the Swamp with an air of optimism for victory.
Three months removed from their first debate, Rubio said he is anticipating another debate with Crist. In the next round, Rubio said he expects to "absolutely" hold his own against the governor.
Above the din of the restaurant bustle, the former speaker of the Florida House of Representatives promised his supporters a strong conservative voice within the Senate, and remarked on issues such as national defense, spending, taxes and job
stimulation.
The answer to the current economic downturn is a congressional push for tax cuts and small business growth incentives, he said.
