Romney 'super fan' starts campaign for Marco Rubio

SIOUX CENTER, Ia. — Jim Wilson hit the campaign trail Saturday morning for the first time this presidential primary race, arriving with his distinctive white truck at Marco Rubio’s first event in Johnston.

The Virginia resident finished the day almost 250 miles away, at the Florida senator’s event in the state’s northwest corner.

Wilson became Mitt Romney’s most visible fan in the 2012 race, arriving at campaign events before the candidate to offer assistance to those wondering which building it was in or where they should park.

“When they arrive, I depart, so I can get there,” Wilson told The Des Moines Register. “I’m -- as one-man said -- the balloons on the mailbox for a birthday party.”

The day after the 2012 presidential election, Rubio was among Wilson’s top two choices for the Republican nomination. He also liked Ohio Gov. John Kasich.

But he ultimately decided to support the Florida senator, believing he is “right on the issues,” said Wilson, now in his early 70s. “He’s a fiscal conservative, he’s a national defense hawk. I generally don’t go into the deep water on social issues.”

He believes Rubio can win the GOP nomination, unite the Republican Party and beat Hillary Clinton in the general election. He’s also been impressed with Rubio’s campaign.

Rubio campaign spokesman Jordan Russell said they were happy to have Wilson on the trail. “We love his energy; obviously he’s a big supporter of Marco’s,” Russell said.

Wilson fixed giant Rubio signs to his 2003 Chevy Silverado, the same truck the Romney campaign gave him after Wilson’s truck was badly burned.

He left Virginia a few days ago and packed to be on the campaign trail for a while, although he hasn’t decided for how long. He brought a mix of winter clothes as well as shorts, for the sunnier weather in South Carolina.

He’ll be in Iowa for the rest of the month, with a “mad dash” to New Hampshire mixed in.

“As long as the truck and the body can do it, I will do it,” Wilson said. “We have an election coming up, and we have a primary we have to win.”