Incumbent Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio faces 14 opponents in his bid for reelection.
One of them is a former entertainment lawyer named Steven Machat, a fellow Miami man who’s running as an independent.
Machat was in Jacksonville this week as he toured the state to meet voters.
With his longish, gray hair and all-white outfit, he had a mystic quality.
“I love everybody. We’re all the same. That’s my whole campaign. My campaign [slogan] is 'I am human.' We are human. We need to deal with it,” he said.
A former music lawyer, accountant and producer, Machat wrote about his world travels alongside rock superstars in his book “Gods, Gangsters and Honour.”
California Bar records show he was suspended from practicing law in 2002 for two years for depositing two clients’ money into his personal accounts. One client sued, and he settled for $35,000 but did not pay it, the record shows.
Though he hasn’t run for office before, Machat said he’s been politically involved as both a Republican and a Democrat.
“I’d rather just be an American,” he said.
His No. 1 issue, he said, is saving the Everglades from pollution. He’s also anti-fracking, a controversial drilling method used to find natural gas underground.
Also, he’d like to see stronger gun control.
“Why would you want guns?” he said. “And the craziest thing is most people who have guns don’t know how to use the guns, so if they ever pull the gun, they’re going to have a problem. But yet they have guns, and it’s wrong.”
In addition to writing about his music career, Machat has authored other books outlining his philosphy, including "Sacred Knowledge: A Rock And Roller's Guide to Higher Consciousness," which he also narrates in audiobook form. He advertises lectures under the School of Sacred Knowledge banner in Miami Beach. Its website says, "Our goal is to open up the eyes and hearts and minds of fellow humans. To help us remove hate and fear so we can finally build the city of God. Where all humans live knowing that we are all created equal as children of God."
Machat says he believes he can win the state of Florida if he has the chance to debate Marco Rubio. Until then, he says he’s traveling to every county and talking to as many people as he can.
