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Marco Rubio Visits Ocala, Encourages Early Voting

WUFT | By Antara Sinha
Published November 4, 2016 at 6:16 PM EDT
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)
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 "get out the vote" event to encourage early voting. Rubio addressed a crowd of over 120 attendees. (Antara Sinha/WUFT News)
Sen. Marco Rubio visits The Mojo Grill in Ocala on Nov. 4, 2016 for a

 

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)
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)
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 "exemplifies and epitomizes the American Dream." (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 "He's a very fine Christian conservative -- and that sums it up." Stewart made the "Hillary Clinton wheel of shame" and brings it to campaign events to get candidates to sign the board -- he already has Keith Perry and Ted Yoho's signature. (Antara Sinha/WUFT News)
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. "I don't have a say, so I'd like to be interested in and educated on all of the candidates," Eakins said. (Antara Sinha/WUFT News)

 

Shelbie Eakins, a 17-year-old, missed voting eligibility by just a couple months -- she'll turn 18 in January. "I don't have a say, so I'd like to be interested in and educated on all of the candidates," Eakins said. (Antara Sinha/WUFT News)
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 "He's looking out for our state." (Antara Sinha/WUFT News)
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, "because I think Patrick Murphy is a wing nut. I just like what Republicans stand for." Immigration, jobs and security are issues that McWherter said were most important to her this election season. (Antara Sinha/WUFT News)
Kathleen McWherter, who moved to Florida from New York City 13 years ago, said she's supporting Rubio,

Tags
Florida Votes OcalaFBIgay marriageKeith PerryMarco RubioTed YohoFloridaSenatevotingearly voting
Antara Sinha
Antara is a reporter for WUFT News and can be contacted by email at antarasinha@ufl.edu and on Twitter @antarasinha.
See stories by Antara Sinha