State Senator Gary Winfield and State Representative Edwin Vargas helped kick off a “People of All Colors Rally” at El Mercado on Saturday, an event that helped to register voters for the upcoming primary, and to provide information about presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders.

Vargas said he was out to support Sanders because of his stance on economic issues, noting how many small businesses in Hartford have been pushed out by “big box stores” including places like CVS. El Mercado, located at the corner of Park and Babcock, is near some of the few independently-owned pharmacies and hardware stores remaining in the area.

Winfield explained that he admires the candidate’s stance on campaign finance reform. Winfield said “clean elections” were responsible for him being able to hold elected office in Connecticut.

The Presidential Preference Primary in Connecticut will be held on Tuesday, April 26, with polls open the standard 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.