Jerry Mitchell

Clarion Ledger

Former President Bill Clinton made a stop at a popular coffee shop in northeast Jackson Thursday before speaking with Jackson State University students.

“We’ve got to rise together again,” he told them.

His wife, Hillary Clinton, the current Democratic frontrunner, is hoping to make history by becoming the first female president.

While her Democratic opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders, on Thursday called her the “outsourcer-in-chief” because of her support for trade agreements like NAFTA, Bill Clinton drew cheers from students at Jackson State University, who stood on chairs, shook hands and posed for selfies.

“You need a change agent,” Bill Clinton said. “She’s the best I ever saw.”

Hillary Clinton could have worked at some of the nation’s top law firms, but chose instead to try and make a difference, working for the Children’s Defense Fund, he said.

Clinton alluded to Donald Trump, the Republican frontrunner who seems to make news, no matter what he says.

He said one of the Republican candidates “loves to tell people it’s somebody else’s fault — it’s the Mexicans’ fault.”

He said Hillary Clinton will walk into the White House with the attitude, “What can I do to make it better?”

He spoke about an issue affecting the city of Jackson, which has had reports of high levels of lead in drinking water coming out of 24 residents’ taps.

He said Hillary Clinton wants to replace all lead pipes being used across the nation.

An hour earlier at Cups, he greeted Jackson Mayor Tony Yarber, who said he has been talking to the White House in hopes of finding funding to help Jackson with this problem.

Clinton said his wife wants to help reduce student debt and offer graduating students the option of two years of national service in exchange for paying off those loans.

He urged students to turn out Tuesday and vote. Mississippi has 41 delegates for the Democratic convention.

“She will not quit until we all rise together,” he said to cheers.

Students praised his visit, saying it’s unusual to see a president or former president visit the campus.

“I’ve never seen someone as passionate in spirit,” said Jordan Davensbourg, a 22-year-old senior majoring in meteorology.

Clinton’s visit hardly ends the visits of presidential candidates and their representatives.

Two Republican presidential candidates will stump in Mississippi Monday — one day before the state's presidential primary.

Trump and Ted Cruz, a junior senator from Texas whom several pundits have considered the only candidate capable of successfully challenging Trump, both have scheduled speaking engagements.

Trump is scheduled to appear in Madison at 7 p.m. Monday at Madison Central High School, according to Trump's campaign website. According to the campaign site, the appearance is open to the public but attendees will need a ticket. (Students are going to be on Spring Break.)

His rally comes after picking up endorsements from a dozen Republican lawmakers Wednesday.

Cruz will speak at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville at noon Monday, WDAM reported. JCJC is the alma matter of state Sen. Chris McDaniel, who is co-chairing the Cruz campaign in Mississippi.

A spokeswoman with the junior college said questions about venue and capacity would have to be referred to McDaniel, who was not immediately available for comment about the upcoming visit.

At stake Tuesday are the votes of Mississippi's 40 Republican delegates.

A total of 1,237 delegates are required to win the Republican nomination.

Clarion-Ledger News Producer Bracey Harris contributed to this report.

Contact Jerry Mitchell at jmitchell@jackson.gannett.com or (601) 961-7064. Follow @jmitchellnews on Twitter.

Cruz, Trump to stump in Mississippi ahead of primary

Updates to follow