Michael Klinski, and Joe Sneve

Argus Leader

President Bill Clinton will campaign for Hillary Clinton on May 20 in South Dakota, North Dakota, and Montana ahead of the June 7 primaries, Hillary Clinton's campaign announced Wednesday.

Bill Clinton will attend public events in Sioux Falls, Fargo, N.D., and Billings, Mont., according to a news release from the campaign. He will discuss "why Hillary Clinton is the best candidate to break down all the barriers holding families back."

More information will be released later, the campaign said.

Suzanne Jones Pranger, Executive Director of the South Dakota Democratic Party, said while it's not yet known where the Clinton event will be held in Sioux Falls, a high amount of excitement in the state for the Clinton campaign should yield a lot of spectators.

"There’s enthusiasm for both candidates. Both will have great turnout," she said.

Having the campaigns of both Democratic presidential candidates make South Dakota stops ahead of the primary should provide a much needed shot in the arm for the state party, Jones Pranger said. Democratic challenger Bernie Sanders will stop in Pine Ridge, Rapid City and Sioux Falls on Thursday.

"It’s been an exciting few days for South Dakota Democrats," she said. "We've seen a lot of other states get attention from the presidential candidates. It really rejuvenates the party when candidates come in to earn the South Dakota Democrats' vote."

Hillary Clinton campaigned in South Dakota five times during the 2008 Democratic primaries. Clinton beat Barack Obama in the primary, 55.35 percent to 44.65 percent.

Bill Clinton joined Hillary Clinton on one of the stops in Sioux Falls, and he campaigned with his daughter, Chelsea, in Dell Rapids and Flandreau. Bill Clinton also visited Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, Black Hills State University in Spearfish and the University of South Dakota in Vermillion on the same day in 2008. He also made stops in Rapid City, Wagner, Fort Thompson, Mission and the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.

Steve Hildebrand, a prominent South Dakota Democrat who helped President Obama win his first term in the White House, said local campaign stops benefit more than just potential primary voters. Rather, he said the candidates themselves are exposed to places they could eventually be impacting through policy.

"It’s good for our state and good for our country," Hildebrand said. "And I hope that any and all presidential candidates will get a chance to come to South Dakota — not just give a speech but to get a chance to get to know us a little bit."