The Chippewa Valley is suddenly the center of the political universe – or at least it will be for a weekend. According to multiple media reports, four major candidates for president will be descending on our fair city in the coming days in advance of the Tuesday, April 5, primary. Here are the details:

➜ Democratic candidate and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders will speak at noon, Saturday, April 2, at Zorn Arena on the UW-Eau Claire campus. The doors will be open at 10am, and parking will be available in the Hibbard and Water Street lots. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are encouraged through Sanders’ campaign website.

➜ Former U.S. Sen. and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is in a tight race with Sanders in Wisconsin’s Democratic primary, is also slated to appear in Eau Claire Saturday, although a time and place have yet to be announced, the Leader-Telegram reports. UPDATE! Clinton will appear at The Lismore Hotel (the former Ramada), 205 S. Barstow St. Doors will open at 1:15pm, the Leader-Telegram says. (As of Friday morning, her website is mum on tickets, but keep an eye on it.)

➜ On the Republican side, reality TV star, real estate mogul, and current frontrunner Donald Trump reportedly rented out Memorial High School on Saturday, the L-T says. However, as of Thursday afternoon his campaign website only lists one upcoming event, and that’s 3pm Saturday in Wausau. UPDATE! The Donald will speak at 7pm at Memorial, and you can get tickets on his website.



➜ U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas – who just picked up the endorsement of Gov. Scott Walker – already visited the Valley back on Monday, meeting with supporters at Altoona Family Restaurant. Cruz is scheduled to appear at a rally between 7:30-9pm on Sunday, April 3, at the Florian Gardens, 2340 Lorch Ave. You can sign up for tickets here. In addition, Cruz’s wife, Heidi, and former GOP rival Carly Fiorina will be stumping for him from 8-9am Friday at Green Mill Restaurant, 2703 Craig Road. To RSVP, go to www.tedcruz.org/events.