Republican presidential candidates Jeb Bush and Donald Trump announce local campaign stops

SARASOTA -- Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump will make his third trip to Florida in recent weeks as he looks to challenge fellow candidates former Gov. Jeb Bush and Sen. Marco Rubio in their home state.

Trump will hold a rally at Robarts Arena in Sarasota at noon Nov. 28, following the Nov. 3 appearance by Dr. Ben Carson. Recent polls show Bush with 9 percent support in Florida, well behind Trump's 36 percent. Rubio has seen a surge in national and statewide polls with strong debate performances and holds 14.5 percent in Florida, ahead of Carson's 10 percent.

Bush may not be leading Trump in the polls, but he will lead Trump back to Florida after announcing a reception date at the home of Rep. Vern Buchanan, 835 Longboat Club Road in Longboat Key.

The reception begins at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 23. The entry fee is $10,000 to be a part of the host reception and $1,000 to attend the general reception.

For reservations, email AnnMarie@MilanoStrategies.com.

Florida's primary is March 15.

Joe Gruters, co-chairman of Trump's Florida campaign and chairman of the Sarasota Republican Party, was unable to comment late Thursday without permission from Trump's national campaign.

Reservations can be obtained at eventbrite.com. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Depending on the number of reservations, the event may be moved to a larger venue.

Mark Young, Herald urban affairs reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7041 or follow him on Twitter@urbanmark2014.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 6:20 PM with the headline "Republican presidential candidates Jeb Bush and Donald Trump announce local campaign stops ."