Touted as the rising star of conservatism, Senate candidate Marco Rubio will meet area voters next week during a fund-raising luncheon sponsored by the Lee County Patriots.
The luncheon will take place at the Sandy Hook Restaurant in Matlacha beginning at 11 a.m., Monday, March 8.
“Marco Rubio has developed a strong following in the state, and we are very pleased that he has agreed to come to meet voters on Pine Island, Matlacha and around the area,” said Lee County Patriots co-chair Kathy Jones. “He is a man with a very interesting history and shares many of the same views as our group. It is a real coup for us getting Marco to come to Pine Island. We see this as benefitting our island as well as our state and truly our nation, should Marco Rubio become our next senator.”
Rubio will be opposing Gov. Charlie Crist in the Republican primary in August.
According to Jones, among Rubio’s accomplishments, he served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008 as Majority Whip, Majority Leader and Speaker of the House and has received endorsements from Gov. Mike Huckabee; former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich; Sen. Jim DeMint and syndicated columnist George Will, as well as the Conservative Political Action Committee.
Those attending the luncheon with Rubio are asked for a minimum donation of $50, which includes lunch.
“We are suggesting that those who wish to attend donate at least $65 so that Marco can get the full $50 after the cost of the meal,” said Jones. “Also the 10 supporters that make the largest donations will truly have lunch with Marco and will be seated at the head table with him.”
The luncheon is by reservation only as seating is limited. For more information or to reserve tickets, call 283-2074. The cut-off date for reservations is Thursday, March 4.
The Lee County Patriots is a grassroots island-based group, which was formed in November 2009.
“Back in October, my neighbor, Joan Spiegel, asked me to come to speak to a group which she was a member. It was a small, loosely knit group of mainly Republicans who wished to find a way to voice their concerns about the direction in which they saw the new administration aiming our country. Joan knew I was a member of the Southwest Florida 912 group in Naples and thought perhaps their group could become affiliated with the 912 group,” Jones said. “Because of an article in the Eagle, instead of the dozen or so who usually attended, there were almost 40 people there. Because of some requirements of being affiliated with the 912 group, it was decided that we would remain independent and we adopted the name Lee County Patriots.”
According to Jones, the number of members has continued to grow and at this time, the Lee County Patriots have 130 individuals on its mailing list.
Jones said the Lee County Patriots are not associated with any of the nationally know Tea Party organizations.
“We are not a ‘hate’ based group and are simply a vehicle for people to voice their concerns without any name calling,” Jones said. “The majority of those attending the meetings share a frustration about the issues facing our nation and are concerned about the policies of our new administration. Our goal is to educate people and to remind our representatives in office that they need to listen to the people, to look at the people running in the 2010 election and support the ones who best support our values and goals. We strongly support the constitution, which is the contract with America and we promote smaller government and less of a tax burden.”
A 23-year island resident, Joan Spiegel was looking for people who shared her values as well when she found the Lee County Patriots.
The Lee County Patriots meet on the second Friday of each month at the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church beginning at 6:15 p.m. and for more information, call Kathy Jones at 283-2074 or visit leecounty-patriots.com