PORTLAND, Ore. – Former President Bill Clinton was in Oregon for several events on Thursday, less than two weeks ahead of Oregon's May 17 primary election.
The former president has been campaigning across the country for his wife, Hillary, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president.
Clinton appeared in Bend on Thursday for a 45-minute speech at Central Oregon Community College where he spoke about the future facing today's high school and college students.
“For 20 years, Hillary and I have been saying this country would solve more of its problems if it worked like a community college – open to all, flexible and able to help people achieve various goals. It finds a lace for everyone, so we can all rise together,” he said.
Later Thursday, he headed to Portland where he made an impromptu stop on Alberta Street in Northeast Portland before heading to a planned public event at the Leftbank Annex.
Hundreds gathered waiting for @billclinton in NE Portland. pic.twitter.com/jVgah9Gsum
— Pat Dooris (@PatDooris) May 5, 2016
Bill Clinton will also be the featured guest at a reception on Thursday. The event is hosted by Benjamin and Jill Souede. Benjamin is a former senior advisor to Hillary Clinton and currently works as general counsel for the office of Gov. Kate Brown.
Tickets to the reception range from $500 to $2,700. The $500 tickets have already been snapped up, so you’ll have to shell out at least $1,000 to meet the former president.
Clinton previously made a surprise appearance at Powell’s Books in March before heading to a stump speech at Clark College for Hillary's presidential campaign in Vancouver.
Hillary’s Democratic competitor, Bernie Sanders, made two recent stops in Oregon – one in Portland, where he garnered cheers when a bird landed on his podium, and one in Eugene.
Hillary Clinton held a private fundraising event in Oregon in 2015 but has not yet stumped in the state this year.