Bill Clinton, Trump Planning RI Stops this Week

RHODE ISLAND—Normally an afterthought in Presidential races, Rhode Island voters have found themselves in the unfamiliar position of voting in an important primary on April 26 as both the Republican and Democrat parties engage in a battle for every last delegate leading up to their conventions in July.

As a result, Rhode Island is getting extra attention normally reserved for battleground states with a surge in political advertising and a number of high-profile appearances planned this week.

On Thursday, former President Bill Clinton is coming to the state to campaign for his wife, Hillary Clinton, who has lost a string of primaries and caucus events in recent weeks to Bernie Sanders.

Former Providence Mayor Joseph Paolino told the Providence Journal's Edward Fitzpatrick that Clinton will be here on Thursday with appearances in Central Falls and at the Community College of Rhode Island.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump is expected to make an appearance on Friday. State GOP officials said that they're trying to find a location large enough to handle a large crowd.

Rep. Doreen Costa of North Kingstown said that the Ryan Center at the University of Rhode Island is a possibility but nothing had been confirmed as of Monday morning.

The state's Trump campaign director Joseph A. Trillo told Fitzpatrick that there's a "very strong possibility" that Trump would be here this week.

The Trump, Clinton and Sanders campaigns all opened campaign headquarters this past week in a scramble to drive as many supporters to the polls on April 26.

Thursday's visit will be Clinton's second visit to Rhode Island during the campaign. In November, he spoke at a fundraiser in East Greenwich held by longtime Clinton supporter and filmmaker Chad Verdi.