The Bernie Sanders campaign opened its official Rhode Island office in Providence on Sunday. With the Rhode Island presidential primary coming up later this month, both Democratic candidates for the nomination have now established headquarters here. The Hillary Clinton campaign opened its office last week in Providence.
The Sanders event on Sunday attracted about 250 supporters to the Broad St. location. Sanders’ political director for Rhode Island Joe Caiazzo said the campaign was happy with the turnout.
“People were spilling out into the street,” said Caiazzo, “to the point where, frankly, it was difficult for cars to drive down the road.”
Caiazzo said after the opening ceremony, the crowd was put to work, making phone calls and going door-to-door to drum up support for Sanders. Caiazzo acknowledged that Sanders faces an uphill fight for the nomination against Clinton, but he says it’s one the campaign is ready for.
“There are 24 delegates up for grabs here in the Ocean State,” said Caiazzo, “and the Sanders campaign is going to make an aggressive push to try to go pick up every single one.”
As far as Bernie Sanders making an appearance here in Rhode Island, Caiazzo said it was not on the current calendar, with the main focus now on the New York primary coming up on April 19th. The Rhode Island presidential primary is set for April 26.
