MOUNT VERNON — The “Knox County Commit to Mitt Early Vote Express” stopped in Mount Vernon Tuesday afternoon. The stop was part of a statewide tour dedicated to encouraging Republicans to vote early.
The bus stopped and parked on High Street across from the Knox County Service Center and the Knox County Board of Elections. As required by Ohio law, the event was held more than 100 feet away from an elections office.
Several campaign staff members participated including Scott Jennings, State Director for the Romney-Ryan campaign, and Ohio Republican Party Chairman Bob Bennett.
Many Knox County Republicans received phone calls notifying them of the opportunity in the days prior to the event and Jennings told the gathered crowd, “I’m not sure how many people are aware that you can actually walk into the board of elections and vote right up until the election.
“My opinion is,” he continued, “the campaign that knocks on doors and votes early will win. If there’s anyone in your world who can’t vote on Election Day, get them down here to vote.”
“These elections are largely about the future,” stated Jennings. “You can feel the enthusiasm but it’s all for naught if we don’t get people out to vote. We need your help; we need your support.”
After encouraging remarks from Bennett, the gathered supporters were invited to tour the bus. It is the bus that Romney uses when he is campaigning in Ohio.
Larry Huffman, who owned Larry’s Sales and Service for 54 years, was having coffee downtown and offered to transport his waitress to her second job at Friendly’s.
He saw the bus as he was driving by and stopped on his way back into town to see why it was there. He ended up sitting in Romney’s seat on the bus.
Lee Dugas, operations manager of Academy Health Service, was also driving by and saw the bus. He enjoyed having a look around, and a seat in a very executive looking chair.
The bus also made stops in Crawford, Morrow and Richland counties before heading into northern Ohio today.
Contact Rhonda Bletner
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