CRESTVIEW — Gov. Rick Scott’s campaign bus wheeled into the Lee Buick GMC parking lot Thursday afternoon, a venue conscientiously selected to emphasize his “Let’s keep working” campaign slogan.
“It’s great to be here,” Scott said. “Hopefully everybody’s going to buy a car today.”
Joining Scott were Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, State Attorney Pam Bondi, and State Rep. Doug Broxson.
Crestview Mayor David Cadle, who with City Councilman Tom Gordon welcomed the governor to the Panhandle’s third-biggest city, said Scott’s visit was an acknowledgement of North Okaloosa County’s growth.
“People at state level are starting to see the importance of Crestview and the north county area and recognize our economic diversity and growth up here,” Cadle said.
PATRIOT DAY VISIT
Scott’s visit to Crestview followed a Patriot Day morning ceremony in Fort Walton Beach where he rang the first strike on a bell cast Wednesday for a war veterans memorial.
Bondi expressed gratitude to Crestview Police Chief Tony Taylor and police Lt. Andrew Schneider, who attended the event, for representing law enforcement officers on Patriot Day.
“We thank you for your service,” she said.
Members of the local Democratic Party had planned a protest at Scott’s Crestview stop, but canceled their appearance in recognition of the day of remembrance.
“In respecting a historical day in U.S. history, Okaloosa Democrats cancel the planned protest of Rick Scott's campaign bus stop tour,” Florida Democratic Party state committeeman John Whitley stated in a press release.
As a result, the modest turnout was a mixture of enthusiastic supporters, North Okaloosa Republican Club members, dealership workers and car shoppers.
Riverside Elementary School second-grader Destin Hubbard was among them, and said his classmates will be jealous of him when they learn he got his picture taken with the governor.
“He’s kind of funny,” Destin said. “I liked him.”
Scott, Lopez-Cantera and Bondi’s remarks emphasized the improvements to Florida’s economy and the increase in jobs under Scott’s leadership.
The leaders contrasted the figures with those during the national Recession that occurred during the administration of Scott’s predecessor and campaign opponent, former Gov. Charlie Crist.
Bondi said unemployment fell from a high of 11.1 percent during Crist’s administration to 6.2 percent.
“We care, because it is about our families,” Scott said. “It’s not about Charlie getting a job. It’s about you getting a job. It’s not about Charlie’s kids’ education. It’s about your kids’ education.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Governor’s campaign stresses ‘Let’s keep working’ mantra (VIDEO)