Democratic attorney general candidate Dan Gelber spoke for tough penalties on economic criminals and for litigation against BP for the Gulf Coast oil spill, among other issues, to more than 50 supporters at a St. Augustine meet-and-greet Wednesday.

The Miami Beach state senator took the stage at the Gypsy Comedy Club at 5 p.m., where he told audience members one of his biggest strengths in the race is his experience prosecuting high-profile criminal cases.

"Qualities of an attorney general need to be two things," Gelber said. "One, someone who's got the experience, and two, the gumption to ruffle some feathers if necessary.

"The attorney general has to be a lawyer for the everyday people to make sure they're not going to be experiencing abuse."

St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles, former state Rep. Doug Wiles, attorney Patrick Canan and Bill Hamilton of Southern Horticulture organized the event, which was flagged as a meet-and-greet but at which Gelber said he "wouldn't turn away any checks."