Sanders Rally: Modesto to have its day in the political sun

Bernie Sanders’ campaign stop Thursday will put Modesto in the political spotlight and mark the first time a major presidential candidate has been here in almost a decade.

Sanders is expected to speak at Modesto Centre Plaza at noon, but the doors to the downtown convention center are expected to open at 9 a.m. He is expected to bring actress Susan Sarandon to the rally. The center should be able to accommodate about 2,500 people inside, with the plaza handling the overflow, according to city spokeswoman Amy Vickery.

The last time a major presidential candidate came to Modesto was in 2007, when Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., stopped here.

“It’s putting a media spotlight on an area, and I think the Valley, that has been under-attended to in general and in particular the three counties of San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced,” said Bob Benedetti, a research associate at the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento, and a professor emeritus of political science at the University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Sen. Sanders, a Vermont independent, is competing with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination and speaking in Modesto ahead of California’s presidential primary Tuesday. The race between the two is tight in California, and Sanders has vowed to stay in the campaign all the way to the Democratic National Convention in late July, though Clinton is closing in on the delegates she needs to clinch the nomination.

In past presidential campaigns, California often has been an afterthought, with the Democrats and Republicans essentially determining their nominees well before this state’s primary.

Sanders’ campaign did not respond to a query Wednesday about why he is coming here. Sanders and former President Bill Clinton – campaigning on behalf of his wife – have spoken in Stockton and Fresno. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump also has spoken in Fresno.

“The Sanders campaign is acknowledging this is a voting bloc they need to address,” Modesto Councilman Mani Grewal said in explaining why he believes Sanders is coming here. “That shows we are strategically important. I think it’s a great thing for Modesto.”

Benedetti added that Sanders’ appearance underscores the Valley increasing political clout as it continues to grow. He said the Valley also is important because of its agricultural abundance and its diversity.

“I think the Valley’s time in the sun is coming,” Benedetti said. “But it’s been coming for a long time, so I can’t say for sure.” However, Benedetti said Bill Clinton’s and Sanders’ campaign stops in Stockton and Sanders’ appearance in Modesto are “important indicators that we are taking our place in the national conversation.”

Sanders’ rally is free and open to the public. Attendees will not be allowed to carry bags and are encouraged to bring only small items such as cellphones and keys. Weapons, sharp objects, chairs and signs or banners on sticks will not be allowed. The public will enter through the doors at 10th and K streets.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Sanders Rally: Modesto to have its day in the political sun."