Former President Bill Clinton will visit Rhode Island on Thursday to campaign for his wife, Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, state campaign director Nick Black said.

Former Providence Mayor Joseph R. Paolino Jr., a longtime Clinton supporter and fundraiser, said the former president is looking at stopping at the Community College of Rhode Island and in Central Falls.

Bill Clinton has always been popular in Rhode Island, Paolino said.

“I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like Bill Clinton,” he said. “He is super smart. He knows everyone. And he knows Rhode Island well.”

Paolino said he is hopeful Hillary Clinton will also visit Rhode Island before the state primary on April 26.

“What this shows is the Clintons don’t just come here and leave,” he said. “They continue to come to the state and campaign.”

Paolino said it’s good that Rhode Island is relevant in the presidential primaries this year.

“We have five states in play that day,” he said of April 26, “and every single one will be important.”

efitzpat@providencejournal.com (401) 277-7368 On Twitter: @FitzProv