FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – More than a hundred residents from around the Pee Dee gathered inside Venus restaurant Thursday afternoon for a meet and greet with presidential candidate Jeb Bush.

Thursday was special for presidential candidate Jeb Bush because he is celebrating his birthday. But what is even more special to Bush is campaigning in one of the most important key states in the election.

“I believe I am that guy and you all can change history. You can push down Donald Trump a little bit and elect someone who is a solid conservative with a conservative record who can take it to Hilary Clinton and beat her in November and I know how to do that,” said Bush

South Carolina Senator and former presidential candidate Lindsay Graham joined Bush Thursday afternoon.

Bush told the audience the gap between Washington and America is making it harder to solve problems. He says his take on economics, and experience as a decision-maker puts him ahead of the pack in the race.

“Do you want an entertainer in chief, someone to make it all about him, insult  people, divide people, basically just talk trash on his way to the republican nomination,” mentioned Bush.

Bush says as president he will end cuts in the military that has happened under President Obama and develop a strategy to make the country stronger.

“It requires a president who knows what he’s doing. We’ve got a lot of great talkers running for president of the United States and you’re going to see them all, they’ll be coming through Florence I know, because you all are very important right now,” Bush explained.

Bush will wrap up his day in Columbia for a town hall meeting at 6:30 p.m.

Count on News 13 to keep you covered on the South Carolina Primary.