Tony Cook

tony.cook@indystar.com

Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders has opened an Indianapolis campaign office.

Campaign workers have been unpacking boxes and signing up volunteers this week at the office at 6367 Guilford Ave. in Broad Ripple.

Pete D'Alessandro, who directed Sanders' campaign in Iowa, is leading the Vermont senator's Indiana operation. Although the campaign has not formally announced the campaign office opening, he said volunteers have been walking in off the street and signing up since staff arrived on Monday.

"The organic nature of this campaign is just amazing," he said.

The Sanders campaign also plans to open offices Bloomington, Gary and Muncie, with more to come, D'Alessandro said.

Sanders, a self-described Democratic socialist, has surprised many political observers with the passion he has incited among supporters, especially young voters who have flocked to massive campaign rallies across the nation to hear his “political revolution” message. But he is facing an uphill battle against front-runner Hillary Clinton, who has a large delegate lead in the race for the Democratic nomination.

The opening of a campaign office here suggests Sanders plans to fight for Indiana's 83 delegates in the state's May 3 primary. He is coming off victories Tuesday in Utah and Idaho, though he lost to Clinton in delegate-heavy Arizona. He also raised more Hoosier dollars in February than any other presidential candidate, according to Federal Election Commission disclosures.

That fundraising success is a key reason he’s likely to continue in the race, even though it’s unlikely he can catch Clinton in delegates.

Clinton has been organizing in Indiana for months, but has not opened an Indianapolis campaign office. She did, however, make a brief fundraising stop at the Carmel home of Cindy Simon Skjodt, daughter of the late shopping mall tycoon Melvin Simon, in June.

USA Today contributed to this story.

Call IndyStar reporter Tony Cook at (317) 444-6081. Follow him on Twitter: @indystartony.