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Florida Congressman Kendrick Meek is serious about involving students in his campaign for senate and his student followers are serious about him. Despite arriving behind schedule, Meek was greeted by a packed room of applauding students in the Reitz Union at the University of Florida. Meek, who is collecting petitions to get on the ballot for Senate in Florida, was not shy in reminding the students how important Gainesville is to his campaign. Meek spent a half an hour fielding questions, mostly about improving Florida's education system. Meek says he was diagnosed with dyslexia as a child and believes that things like the F-CAT make it hard for students with disabilities. The congressman, an alumnus of Florida A-and-M, says he symphathizes with the working students who depend on scholarships like Bright Futures to help put them through school. Meek says these early visits will help him stand out. Many students signed up to help out with Meek's campaign after the speech. Emily Sasser, a UF political science sophomore, says she feels Meek is a relatable candidate. Meek is currently leading the polls in the Democratic primary for Senate -- if he wins, he will be the first candidate for Senate to qualify for the ballot by petition in Florida.