Rubio and Giuliani pack event at Shell Factory
It was standing room only Saturday at the Shell Factory’s Dolphin Club when U.S. Senate candidate Marco Rubio and the iconic former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani appeared.
Giuliani is a well-sought out endorser, Rubio said. With campaigning heating up prior to the Nov. 2 election, national news has centered on appearances like this.
Rubio and Giuliani fans turned out in big numbers.
Of Rubio, Giuliani said, “We need his common sense and judgement.
Of the crowd, he quipped, “This is one state where I see more New Yorkers than in New York.”
“We’ve been traveling all over, and we are very grateful for his support,” said Rubio of Giuliani.
Shell Factory owners Tom and Pam Cronin enjoyed the event.
“Lee County Republican Executive Chairman Gary Lee and I got together to arrange to bring them both here. Giuliani is actually a friend of Pam’s; they met in New York.”
Lee introduced Giuliani, calling him “a super hero” for how he led New York through the Sept. 11 crisis.
A stand-out young singer, 14-year-old Brandon Somers from Cape Coral, started the event with a patriotic song, and Pastor Grant Williams from Living Word Christian Church gave a prayer and led the Pledge.
Rubio gave the key note speech, and discussed his platform. He and Guiliani then spent time talking to community members.
Football legend Don Shula, a big fan of Giuliani, sent an autographed football from Naples via his Hilton Naples-based Shula’s Steak House, delivered by Manager Thomas Donahue. “Don said he admires him, even if he is a Jets fan,” Donahue said.
The Cronins said they hope to host more political functions in the future.