Gordon Friedman

Statesman Journal

Vermont senator and presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders will campaign Friday in Portland.

A release from the Sanders campaign said the senator will discuss "getting big money out of politics, his plan to make public colleges and universities tuition-free, combating climate change and ensuring universal health care."

Sanders is competing in the Democratic primary against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The race has been close at times, but Clinton has 300 more pledged delegates than Sanders. Now, both campaigns are turning their attention to the Northwest states and their delegates; the Washington Democratic caucus is Saturday, and the Oregon primary is in May.

Washington, with 101 pledged delegates, and Oregon with 61, are targets for Sanders, who is looking to rebuff calls to bow out of the race, and for Clinton, who's gunning to pull decidedly ahead and close in on the nomination.

President Bill Clinton visited Portland briefly on Monday and met with Gov. Kate Brown before heading across the Columbia River to stump for the Hillary campaign in Vancouver, Washington. The day before, Sanders held three rallies in Washington, drawing thousands, according to news reports. After his rally in Portland on Friday, Sanders will venture to Safeco Field in Seattle for a campaign event.

The Sanders rally will take place at the Moda Center. Admission is free, parking is $10. Attendees are encouraged to R.S.V.P. for the event, as space may run out.

gfriedman2@statesmanjournal.com, 503-399-6653, on Twitter@gordonrfriedman orfacebook.com/gordonrfriedman