South County was the epicenter of a political battleground last weekend with the arrival of Bernie Sanders in National City and a campaign stop by former president Bill Clinton at Bonita Vista High School, as both men attempt to rally voters before California’s June 7 Primary Election.
Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, was in Chula Vista to campaign on behalf of his wife Hillary Clinton, who is aiming to be America’s first woman president.
Local elected officials including Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas and Assemblywoman Shirley Weber expressed their support for Hillary Clinton.
Clinton’s morning arrival brought Bonita Vista High School’s gymnasium to capacity, forcing hundreds more onlookers outside to an overflow area to hear the former president speak about student debt, immigration reform and job opportunities for the disabled.
“We need more people in the workforce contributing to our future, that’s why immigration reform is so important,” he said. “Youth in the workforce matters, for us to have the youngest, most diverse workforce in America is a goldmine for the whole country.”
Eastlake resident Tony Curtis did not make it inside so he heard Clinton’s speech from the overflow area. He said he already mailed in his ballot and voted for Hillary Clinton because unlike her Democratic opponent she has real solutions to problems.
“People try to compare her (Hillary Clinton) with Bernie Sanders, and they both pretty much want the same thing,” he said. “But Bernie Sanders does not have any bonafide solutions to anything. I just like all of the solutions that Hillary has for our problems.”
After Clinton’s nearly 30-minute speech, he made a brief appearance outside where he urged Hillary Clinton supporters to get out and vote on June 7.
Sweetwater Union High School District Spokesman Manny Rubio said Clinton’s campaign paid between $1,200 to $1,600 to cover the cost of security. Rubio said the campaign provided its own lighting, stage, and sound system
In National City, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ appearance drew thousands to Kimball Park.
Sanders’ diverse supporters comprised of millennials and seniors came from across the nation hoisting campaign signs and Sanders gear that read “Bernie or Bust” and “National City Feels The Bern.”
Actress Shailene Woodley and comedian George Lopez delivered opening remarks before Sanders took the stage.
Sanders spoke for a little more than an hour where he talked about bridging the gap between the rich and poor, campaign finance reform and raising the nation’s minimum wage.
“I am running for president because in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world too many people are living in poverty,” Sanders said. “In the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, not all of the new wealth and income should be going to the top one percent. I am running for president because together we are going to create an economy that’s going to work for all of us, not just wealthy campaign contributors.”
Sanders’ campaign paid $30,000 toward expenses mostly covering the cost of police.
Robert Saldata of Orange County said he supports Sanders because he will unite people.
“He brings everyone together,” Saldata said. “If you really notice before Bernie started getting this momentum going we were really divided. We were divided between Black people, (and) Latinos. All these different race wars, religious wars, all this hate towards Islam. And now people are coming together, he’s bringing us together. He wants us to be as one to work together and make the future better for everyone, not just one race.”
