The corner of University Avenue and Gale Lemerand Drive sizzled with Republican star power Saturday when U.S. Senate candidate Connie Mack and Josh Romney, presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s son, tailgated with students and alumni.
About 50 people milled around a green portable tent, eating barbecue ribs and Krispy Kreme doughnuts and posing for photos with Mack and Romney.
Mack was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004 to represent Florida’s 14th Congressional District, according to his page on the House website. He serves on the Foreign Affairs, and Oversight and Government Reform committees.
Romney’s appearance was a surprise but “an added bonus” after he rallied students for his father’s presidential campaign Friday on campus, said music and political science junior Collin Thompson, co-chair of the statewide coalition Students for Mack.
“I thought he was leaving after his speaking engagement yesterday,” the 20-year-old said.
Skylar Zander, 21, said he enjoyed spending time with Romney in the casual environment.
“He’s down-to-earth,” Zander said.
Thompson said the tailgate was the first stop on Mack’s statewide campaign bus tour.
“I can’t think of a better way to kick off a statewide bus tour than to start with your roots,” Thompson said.
Mack, who graduated from UF in 1993, said Gainesville doesn’t seem to have changed much since he was a student.
“It feels the same,” said Mack, who wore a white collared shirt adorned with the Gator logo. “I think the football program has been more successful.”
After lunch, volunteers assembled yard signs for Mack and the Mitt Romney campaign, passed out stickers and sold “Gators for Romney” T-shirts.
Thompson said Mack’s visit holds significance for students because Mack aims to reduce government spending to lessen the amount of national debt the next generation will be responsible for.
He said the current national debt divided per capita equals more than $50,000 dollars.
“You think you’re going to graduate debt-free, but you graduate with $52,000 overhead,” Thompson said.
