With an election looming around the corner, U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek swung by UF on Thursday to bolster support from young voters.
Meek, who is challenging Republican Marco Rubio and independent Charlie Crist, spoke to a crowd of about 40 people on Thursday in Reitz Union Room 282 about the importance of getting yourself and others to the polls.
“To think that Marco Rubio and Rick Scott will be top officials in Florida is dangerous,” Meek said. “It has me wake up in the middle of the night asking myself, ‘What can I do?’”
Currently, Meek trails Rubio and Crist in the polls with the election slated for Nov. 2.
“That is always a concern,” Meek said of his low poll numbers. “But that is why it’s important to get progressives and moderates excited and to the polls.”
Kristin Klein, president of UF College Democrats, believes that of the three candidates in the Senate election, Meek presents the best choice.
“To simply put it, you can trust him and you can rely on him, ” Klein said. “He has always been a consistent voter, and he has never wavered on his principles.”
Jon Reiskind, chairman of the Alachua County Democrats, affirmed his support for Meek.
“Kendrick Meek has been a consistent voice for banning drilling off Florida’s shores, for a woman’s reproductive rights, for protecting Social Security and Medicare,” Reiskind said.
Jasmine Gomez, a second-year political science major, said that while she supports Meek, she is worried about the election.
“Although I completely support Kendrick Meek, the unfortunate reality in a conservative state like Florida is it is nearly impossible for a hugely left-wing liberal to win,” Gomez said.
