Sweetwater, FL – Columba Bush, wife of former Florida Governor and current Presidential Candidate Jeb Bush made a surprise visit to the Mildred & Claude Pepper Senior Center in the City of Sweetwater. This marks the first visit from a Bush family member since Jeb Bush held a campaign event in Sweetwater's Mas Canosa Youth Center in 2015.
While visiting the city-operated elderly center, Mrs. Bush greeted elderly residents of Sweetwater while wearing a Jeb! campaign sticker.
Thank you to everyone at the Mildred & Claude Pepper Senior Center for having me! pic.twitter.com/r2LpsKMlxy
— Columba (@ColumbaBush) January 11, 2016
The visit of the Senior Center in Sweetwater marks the most recent of her elderly center tour throughout Miami, with one Sweetwater Commissioner, Isolina Maroño, making an appearance with the wife of the presidential hopeful.
Great morning meeting supporters at Victoria Senior Center with @anitere_flores and Commissioner Isolina Maroño. pic.twitter.com/r0kYchLo9X
— Columba (@ColumbaBush) January 5, 2016
As candidates get closer to the Iowa and New Hampshire Caucuses, Jeb Bush is making a stronger effort to compete for the Republican nomination, launching advertising negative campaign ads against Florida Senator and West Miami native Marco Rubio.
Aside from Governor Bush, previous notable political figures campaigning in the Sweetwater/FIU area have included:
- Florida Governor Rick Scott
- Hillary Clinton (2015 in FIU)
- Barack Obama (2015 town hall meeting in FIU)
- John McCain (2008 presidential campaign rally in FIU)
About The Mildred & Claude Pepper Senior Center
Known as "El Comedor" to locals, the Senior Center is one of the most popular spots for political campaigns in Sweetwater, with nearly every candidate in last year's local elections in Sweetwater making a visit. The Senior Center, with a 2014 cost of $909,103 (2014 city budget) provides senior citizens with daily activities, lunch, and according to the City of Sweetwater website, provides services for 200 participants Monday-Friday.
