Just as local election season kicks off in the South Bay, presidential candidates are making their rounds for the nomination.
Thousands of Bernie Sanders supporters crowded the San Diego Convention Center in halls D and E to hear the 74-year-old presidential hopeful express why he deserves the Democratic nomination.
“We are doing something very unusual in politics, we are telling the truth,” said Sanders. “Now the truth is not always pleasant, not in our personal lives, not in our political lives, but we cannot go forward as a nation unless we are prepared to confront the real issues confronting them.”
The Vermont senator discussed the need to change the corrupt campaign finance system, which is undermining American democracy, he said. He also addressed issues surrounding healthcare and the minimum wage.
Bernie supporters applauded and chanted “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!” at every opportunity. Some waived signs that read
“Veterans for Bernie,” “Straight Outta Vermont” and “Latinos Para Bernie.”
Chula Vista resident Barbara Huntington, 69, donned a Bernie Sanders shirt and waited in a long line that wrapped around the Embarcadero just to show her support for the candidate she said is “for the people.”
“We finally have an honest politician,” she said. “And he is for the people. He’s taken what has become an oligarchy with all the big corporations running the show because they give the money to the politicians. Politicians are no longer beholden to the people they are beholden to the corporations. Bernie is for the people.”
Huntington said she’s donated small amounts to Sanders’ campaign and plans to phone bank for him very soon. She said the fact that Sanders is a grassroots candidate bodes well for her.
Sanders’ campaign stop in San Diego came as primary races made their way to the West Coast and became billed as “Western Tuesday.”
Moments before Sanders took the stage it was announced that former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton won the Arizona primary, solidifying her lead in delegates. Sanders didn’t appear fazed by Clinton’s win as he asked California voters to show up to the polls and vote for him on June 7.
After Bernie delivered his speech it was learned that he won Idaho and Utah on Tuesday night.
The ethnically diverse crowd of millennials and seniors united together to support their candidate.
“Bernie has been fighting for women’s rights, same-sex marriage and all that for 40-plus years,” said Rancho del Rey resident Jessica Rosario.
“He was right behind Martin Luther King from the beginning and he’s still being true to himself. And he’s for the people, he is literally there getting down and dirty with us. Age doesn’t matter. What he is fighting for is what I’m fighting for.”
Rosario said initially she supported Clinton but she started “feeling the Bern” after researching Sanders and learning about his political platform.
Sanders, who was introduced by actress Rosario Dawson, ended the night urging California voters to hit the polls.
“If there is a large voter turnout, we will win here in California,” he said. “In the primary here in California, please come out to vote and bring your friends to vote.”
