U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa, spoke to a gathering of supporters at the opening of the King for Congress and Ames Victory 2012 offices on what he felt sets him apart in the upcoming election.

“I can feel the energy,” King stated as he stepped in front of an audience of around 75 as reported by his campaign manager, Jake Ketzner.

As supporters for Congressman King’s reelection against Christie Vilsack began to gather at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the 711 East Lincoln Way office, a crowd of protesters gathered out front.

“It’s excellent. There’s a groundswell in the grassroots,” said Alec Johnson, campaign director for “Take Down King,” which is part of the “Take Down the Tea Party Ten” and the CREDO SuperPAC. “People do not want this man reelected.”

Some people, however, were there in support of King.

“We came out to show our support,” said Jonathan Laudner, a sophomore at Iowa State and member of the College Republicans. Laudner came to the event with Ashley Mahlstedt, another member of the College Republicans and a junior at Iowa State.

Mahlstedt, who said she did not know a lot about politics, was happy for the opportunity to “immerse” herself in the event.

“The number one plank in my platform,” King said, “is the full 100 percent repeal of Obamacare.”

King, who has been the U.S. Representative for Iowa’s Fifth Congressional District since 2003, explained that his family has lived in the area since 1978 and that their “roots go deep.”

The topics of energy and the country’s debt were also brought up during the speech, which was followed by a question and answer period.

“There’s a good mix of generations engaged here at Story County,” King said, who referred to this year’s upcoming elections as a “destiny” election. “We’re going to fight this out here.”

Johnson explained that the Take Down King group is “here for the duration” and that they had started organizing ISU students to lead events against King before the spring semester ended.

Sue Ravenscroft, an Ames resident, said that she started paying more attention after the redistricting and explained that she found King’s ideas “outrageous.”

“I really think he is not the person Ames wants for their representative,” Ravenscroft said.

As protesters yelled for King to come outside, the congressman shook hands with supporters as they sipped lemonade and snacked on crackers and cheese.