Rubio spoke about Hillary Clinton and Keith Perry's pending FBI investigations. "You've got the leading candidate for senate and the leading candidate for president from the Democratic party both under FBI investigation -- that's just unprecedented." (Antara Sinha/WUFT News)
With early voting underway and Election Day four days away, Sen. Marco Rubio visited Ocala on Friday morning to meet supporters and encourage voters to head to the polls early.
Over 120 people attended the event at The Mojo Grill where Rubio discussed issues such as economic development, affordable college education and maintaining U.S. military strength.
Sen. Marco Rubio visits The Mojo Grill in Ocala on Nov. 4, 2016 for a
Rubio spoke about Hillary Clinton and Patrick Murphy's pending FBI investigations.
Rubio works the crowd after speaking. Many of the Rubio supporters in attendance supported Rubio in the presidential primary race, and said they would vote for him because they shared similar moral values on issues such as gay marriage and abortion. (Antara Sinha/WUFT News)
Ted Yoho, state representative for Florida's third congressional district, introduced Rubio to the audience with Paul Skinner. Yoho spoke about Rubio's Cuban-American heritage and said that Rubio
Ronnie Stewart, a volunteer at the event, said he supported Rubio because
Shelbie Eakins, a 17-year-old, missed voting eligibility by just a couple months -- she'll turn 18 in January.
Henry Bechtel (left), Monica Bechtel, Rob Sawyer and Russ Victor wait for Rubio to speak. Sawyer, who was born and raised in Ocala, said that supporting small businesses is an issue that he strongly supports, as it directly effects places like his hometown. Sawyer also supported Rubio during the presidential primary elections. (Antara Sinha/WUFT News)
Rondo Fernandez, owner of The Mojo Grill, said the campaign managers reached out to him because they wanted to hold the event at a local business and because Fernandez and Rubio have similar backgrounds -- both are first-generation Americans and children of Cuban immigrants.
Brandie Braddock, who moved from Salt Lake City, Utah to Ocala 13 years ago, has been manager of The Mojo Grill since the business opened in 2009. Also a Rubio supporter, Braddock said she's voting for him because
Kap Davis (left) is campaign manager for Mariam and Putnam county.
Kathleen McWherter, who moved to Florida from New York City 13 years ago, said she's supporting Rubio,