OCALA, Fla. — Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was in stumping in Ocala Monday as he tries to win the Republican presidential nomination.
An excited Bush played to the Ocala crowd of about 400 packed into a town hall meeting to see him.
While Florida crowds may be more passionate about a Bush presidential candidacy, nationally the former Florida governor is lagging far behind the front runners.
His stop in Ocala was one of three he made Monday.
Those in attendance were happy with what Bush had to say.
“I was impressed with the way he presented his answers,” attendee Ann Mullins said. “I would definitely support him going to the White House.”
During Monday’s meeting in Ocala, Bush took a swing at Republican front-runner Donald Trump, calling him a good show but not someone to take office as president.
“If you’re looking for a big personality on stage, there’s one for you,” Bush said of Trump. “God bless you, he’ll never be president.”
Most of his time in Ocala was spent on national and international issues.
He did also take some shots at the current administration and at Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton.
“I don’t believe Hillary Clinton has a servant’s heart,” Bush said.
Bush supporters in Central Florida believe there is still time for the former governor to work his way up in the polls if he can persuade voters in key early primary states like Florida and New Hampshire.
Bush will be in New Hampshire Tuesday and back in Orlando Saturday.
WFTV
