Sharon's Alice's Mandarin Taste might be a political landmark for some people if Mitt Romney wins the presidency in November.

Romney appeared at a candidates night at the restaurant early in his first U.S. Senate run during the early 1990s, former Sharon Republican Town Committee co-chairmen Earl Gashin and Ron Rogers say.

Gashin says he saw Romney a few years later at a Republican event at the Holiday Inn Taunton.

Gashin says when mentioned he's from Sharon, Romney replied, "That's where I made my very first stand-alone political appearance."

"Now, he's running as a candidate for U.S. president," Gashin says.

"You've got to begin somewhere. Sharon, Mass. was his very first stand-alone."

Gashin says he first met Romney at that Sharon town committee candidates forum.

"Someone asked if I had invited Mitt Romney," Gashin recalls.

"I called Mitt in Belmont. He said he'd gladly attend."

Romney was among at least four candidates at that forum, Gashin says.

"Mitt came into the room and introduced himself to me. He also came with two gentlemen. I had no idea who they were.

"He made a nice appearance, like he always does."

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