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U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, held a fundraiser with former presidential candidate Mitt Romney on Thursday night in Estero.Invitations went to former Southwest Florida backers of Romney’s presidential bid as well as Mack supporters. Mack spokesman Jeff Cohen said about 100 attended the event at the Embassy Suites hotel, which sought donations of at least $50.

Romney spoke briefly, including remarks about spending Memorial Day weekend at John McCain’s ranch in Arizona along with Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and several other officials being eyed as possible vice presidential contenders.

But Romney stayed away from serious VP talk, keeping the focus on Mack and his re-election campaign. Mack and Romney mingled with the crowd and posed for photos.

Mack served as one of Romney’s Florida campaign chairmen when the former Massachusetts governor was running for president, and Romney is now returning the favor for Mack and other Florida congressmen.

Mack faces election opposition from state Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples, who’s running under no party affiliation; Jeff George of Fort Myers, a newcomer to politics also running under no party affiliation; and

Democrat Robert Neeld, who’s run unsuccessfully for several Lee County offices including Congress and sheriff, in the last few elections.