SAN DIEGO -- This weekend San Diego will be the focus of the race for the White House -- several events will be held in support of the democratic presidential candidates.
Candidate Bernie Sanders will hold a public rally at Kimball Park in National City. He's expected to address the crowd at 7:30 p.m., but supporters are urged to arrive much earlier.
"I found out yesterday on Facebook. It was exciting news. I was like I finally get to see him," said Sara Cruz who was in the park with her baby.
Sunday, Sanders will hold a second rally at Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. Sanders will speak at 2 p.m.
Political analyst Laura Fink says San Diego is a major player in this race.
"We're in the home stretch of the first contested campaign California has seen in decades and now we have the presidential contenders coming back because we are a swing county, so they can actually win votes and influence people right here in San Diego," said Fink.
Sanders will have some competition in the South Bay. Former President Bill Clinton is headed to Chula Vista Saturday morning to campaign for his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The former president will hold a public rally at Bonita Vista High School at 11:30 a.m. Clinton will also attend a private fundraising event in Rancho Santa Fe.
"Bernie Sanders has been traversing the state and the Clintons have been making pit stops across the state as well. We still don't know which way San Diego will go on the Democratic side," said Fink.
On the Republican side, the presumptive nominee, Donald Trump, is also headed to San Diego. He's scheduled to speak at the San Diego Convention Center Friday, May 27 from 2-5 p.m.
"This is also about the momentum of the campaign. Right now Donald Trump needs to make strides in a lot of blue states and a lot of swing states in order to gain the nomination, so he needs to demonstrate that he has that energy and you do that where the fight is and June 7 is the fight," said Fink.
Protests have erupted at some of Trump's rallies. Law enforcement sources tell 10News they're getting their riot teams ready in advance of Trump's visit. San Diego Police Officers and the San Diego Sheriff's Department spent part of Thursday doing training exercises in the parking lot of Qualcomm stadium in preparation for the visit.
