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Meet and greet with Congressman Mack at Capt. Brien’s Seafood and Raw Bar

Politicians and comedians have been known to have an interesting relationship. So perhaps it’s not so unusual that Capt. Brien’s Seafood and Raw Bar, also the home of Off the Hook Comedy Club, would be hosting a meet and greet with Congressman Connie Mack IV on Tuesday evening.

The Fort Myers republican is running for his third term in the United States Congress to represent Florida’s 14th Congressional District including Lee, Collier and Charlotte Counties.

Marco Island City Councilor Rob Popoff said that when he heard Mack was looking to reach out to Islanders, he was quick to help make it happen.

“Having a good rapport with a congressman makes issues like the bridge and toll a little more bearable … It’s a topic he’s very aware of and I hope he’ll address it,” Popoff said of the plans for Marco Island’s Judge S.S. Jolley Bridge.

“This is an issue that will need to be decided on a state and local level … Generally the Congressman opposes imposing tolls on bridges and roadways,” said Mack’s spokesman Jeff Cohen.

Mack is holding meet and greets throughout Southwest Florida as he gears up for November’s election day.

“I met Connie Mack on several occasions. He said he wanted to have some presence on Marco Island,” Popoff said of the origins for the meet and greet.

With Vergina’s no longer at the Esplanade, the place Popoff said is the typical center of the island’s happenings, Capt. Brien was top of the list.

Whether you support republicans or Mack in particular, Popoff said he believes it’s important and relevant to see our current congressman.

Mack may step up to a microphone Tuesday to make a statement, but mainly will be there to shake hands and meet people in a setting that Popoff anticipates will be “very casual.”

“Mostly he’ll be there to listen to what’s in the hearts and minds of the people on Marco,” Cohen said.

There will be an opportunity to have your picture taken with Congressman Mack at the event which is open to the public. Capt. Brien will supply light hors d’oeuvres and there will be a cash bar.

Popoff, a supporter of Mack, said donations are always welcome although this is not specifically a fund-raising event.

So far, Mack has raised far more contributions for his re-election than any of his challengers, according to the latest federal campaign reports.

The congressman raised $163,553 in the second fund-raising period, which began April 1 and ended June 30. That brings his total to nearly $1.1 million for the entire election cycle.

Mack is running against State Sen. Burt Saunders, a Naples Republican who raised $21,456 in contributions. Mack also has two Democratic challengers including accountant Robert Neeld of Cape Coral and write-in candidate Larry Byrnes, a Florida Gulf Coast University professor. Another Cape Coral resident, independent Jeff George, is also vying for Mack’s seat.

Although Marco Island may be small, Mack is reaching out to a place with a high percentage of republican constituents.

As Popoff put it: “Marco Island had 8,600 votes in the last election. That’s 8,600 votes that could make or break the election.”

According to the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office there are 12,811 voters registered on Marco Island who may vote in this November’s election, an increase from last year.

Mack was born and raised in Southwest Florida and is a graduate of the University of Florida. He is the son of former United States Senator Connie Mack and cancer prevention advocate Priscilla Mack.

Prior to being elected to Congress, he was a business executive with Fort Myers-based LTP Management before becoming an independent business and marketing consultant.

Mack is married to U.S. Rep. Mary Bono Mack. He is the father of two children, Addison and Connie, and stepfather of two children, Chesare and Chianna. Mack resides in Fort Myers.

The meet and greet begins 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, at Capt. Brien’s Seafood and Raw Bar, 599 S. Collier Blvd. Suite 218. Capt. Brien’s is in the Marco Walk Plaza across from the Marco Island Hilton.