Presidential Campaigns Target Oregon Ahead Of Primary

By Jeff Mapes

Published April 7, 2016 at 8:18 AM PDT

Presidential campaigns are turning their sights on Oregon ahead of the state's primary next month.

Bernie Sanders’ growing campaign network opened another office Wednesday. Sanders now has four campaign offices here and hundreds of volunteers.

State Director Monte Jarvis fired up a crowd at the opening of the Northeast Portland office by making it clear the campaign has high expectations.

“We are the political revolution. We are going to take Oregon," Jarvis said. "We are going to win Oregon on May 17.”

Oregon has a lot of college-educated young people, and they’ve been among Sanders’ most passionate followers.

But Sanders could also benefit from the state's largely white electorate. Sanders has won 11 of 13 contests in states where minorities make up less than 20 percent of the Democratic electorate.

Hillary Clinton is also organizing in the state. She has a new state director and several staffers on the ground.

On the Republican side, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is assembling a network of grassroots leaders.

So far, however, the campaigns of Donald Trump and John Kasich don’t seem to be as active in Oregon.

<p>Campaign supporters gather Wednesday for presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders at the opening of his fourth office in Oregon. A mural at the office references a recent campaign visit in Oregon, where a bird spontaneously landed on the podium as Sanders spoke. </p> — Campaign supporters gather Wednesday for presidential hopeful Sen. Bernie Sanders at the opening of his fourth office in Oregon. A mural at the office references a recent campaign visit in Oregon, where a bird spontaneously landed on the podium as Sanders spoke.

<p>Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders drew thousands to Portland's Moda Center for a campaign rally on March 25, 2016.</p> — Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders drew thousands to Portland's Moda Center for a campaign rally on March 25, 2016.

<p>Snaking around the basketball arena hours before doors opened, supporters carried signs, while Sanders' campaign staff asked for volunteers and others handed around petitions.</p> — Snaking around the basketball arena hours before doors opened, supporters carried signs, while Sanders' campaign staff asked for volunteers and others handed around petitions.

<p>Bernie Sanders Rally at the Moda Center on Friday March 25</p> — Bernie Sanders Rally at the Moda Center on Friday March 25

<p>"Little Bernie" makes another appearance in support of Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally in Portland on March 25, 2016.</p> — "Little Bernie" makes another appearance in support of Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally in Portland on March 25, 2016.

<p>Jesus, or "Little Bernie," gets the crowd excited before Sanders takes the stage. When asked about his hair he said, "My mom put white paint in my hair to make me look like Bernie Sanders."</p> — Jesus, or "Little Bernie," gets the crowd excited before Sanders takes the stage. When asked about his hair he said, "My mom put white paint in my hair to make me look like Bernie Sanders."

<p>Brycen Driver from Clackamas at the Bernie Sanders rally at Portland's Moda Center on March 25, 2016.</p> — Brycen Driver from Clackamas at the Bernie Sanders rally at Portland's Moda Center on March 25, 2016.

<p>Tia McCann, left, and Emily Seemly at the campaign rally for Bernie Sanders at the Moda Center on March 25, 2016.</p> — Tia McCann, left, and Emily Seemly at the campaign rally for Bernie Sanders at the Moda Center on March 25, 2016.

<p>Brycen Driver, left; Ryan Rou, center; and Trace Czyzewski at the presidential campaign rally for Bernie Sanders in Portland on March 25, 2016.</p> — Brycen Driver, left; Ryan Rou, center; and Trace Czyzewski at the presidential campaign rally for Bernie Sanders in Portland on March 25, 2016.

<p>A bird landed on stage at a campaign rally for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at Portland's Moda Center on March 25, 2016.</p> — A bird landed on stage at a campaign rally for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at Portland's Moda Center on March 25, 2016.

<p>Bernie Sanders at the rally</p> — Bernie Sanders at the rally

<p>Bernie Sanders raises his fist at his Portland rally on Friday, March 25, 2016.</p> — Bernie Sanders raises his fist at his Portland rally on Friday, March 25, 2016.

<p>A day to set up and the Moda Center is cleared out in a half hour after Bernie Sanders leaves the arena.</p> — A day to set up and the Moda Center is cleared out in a half hour after Bernie Sanders leaves the arena.