Restaurant executive Craig Miller, now running in a crowded Republican primary field looking to take on Democratic incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson in 2012, campaigned in St. Johns County on Wednesday, bringing his latest Miller on Main Street workday event to the First Coast.
Taking a page from Florida political legend Bob Graham, who held workday events during his two terms as governor and three terms in the U.S. Senate, Miller has been holding similar events during his campaign, most of them in his base of Central Florida.
On Wednesday, Miller, an Air Force veteran who went on to be the CEO of Uno Restaurants and Ruths Chris Steakhouse, worked at a Winn-Dixie grocery store, serving in the deli and bakery. He also bagged groceries for customers and gathered shopping carts in the store parking lot.
"I want to thank the great people at Winn-Dixie today for letting me work beside them and getting to know the cares and concerns of their employees and customers, Miller said in a statement. I will take these experiences with me to Washington and work hard every day to stand up for those on Main Street.
This was Millers fourth workday during his Senate campaign. Miller, who sought a Central Florida Republican congressional nomination in 2010, has also put in hours at a Harley Davidson shop in Daytona, a gun store owned by former state Sen. Carey Baker in Mount Dora and a pizzeria in Winter Park.
During his Senate campaign, noting that he led efforts to create 40,000 jobs during his years in the restaurant business, Miller has attempted to contrast his record in the private sector, which also included a stint as chairman of the National Restaurant Association, with those of his opponents who have served in public office -- Nelson and Republican rivals former U.S. Sen. George LeMieux and former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner.
Businessman and retired Army Col. Mike McCalister, who took more than 10 percent during his 2010 bid for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, is also running for the GOP nomination.
This week, sources close to U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, whose father held the seat from 1989 until his retirement in 2001, revealed that he was planning to enter the Republican primary as well.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859. During his years at Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Kevin bagged groceries and collected shopping carts at a Winn-Dixie a few miles up the road from where Miller performed the same tasks.
