Several hundred people turned out Monday afternoon at Zaharakos in Columbus to see Republican Presidential candidate Ted Cruz. A large black tour bus delivered the Texas Senator and his entourage to the ice-cream shop on Washington Street. A couple hundred supporters filled the upstairs gathering hall, while another few hundred people waited around the bus for a glimpse of the candidate.
Those waiting outside included supporters and opponents. There were a few signs touting the candidacy of Republican front-runner, Donald Trump. Other people were there, holding up signs that equated Cruz’s positions with hate and other signs that attacked the Senator personally.
Sen. Cruz did not give a speech during this event. He spent about 40 minutes on the downstairs section of Zaharakos, talking with customers. Afterwards, he made his way upstairs for about 25 minutes where he spoke privately and took pictures with individual supporters.
When Cruz made his way outside, a loud cheer filled Washington Street. Supporters shouted encouragement over the few protesters as Cruz continued to wave, shake hands and campaign, before boarding the bus and heading to Johnson County.