Nearly a thousand people came out to Bookstore1Sarasota while hundreds turned out at Books-A-Million in Fort Myers Wednesday so that presidential candidate Ben Carson could sign one of his latest books for them.

Carson spoke about the values in his book, how they translate to his actions and the way he conducts himself publicly.

“Well, the values stay with you,” said Carson. “And, particularly the American values, the values that made us into a great nation, which I am not all that anxious to give away so that we can be politically correct.”

An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released Monday found Carson leading the Republican primary with 29 percent support. He is also the most likeable of the GOP presidential contenders included in that poll. 

Carson grew up poor in Detroit but graduated from Yale University and became head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital. He has never held elected office.

He emerged on the political scene in 2013 with a speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.

He signs books at the Naples Costco from 6:30-9:30 tonight.