Hillary Clinton addressed a crowd at Rainier Beach High School Tuesday evening, ending a series of Washington events ahead of Saturday’s Washington state Democratic caucuses.
This post is no longer updating. Read the story about Hillary Clinton’s visit to the area here and see photos here.
A breakdown of Hillary Clinton’s visit:
- Clinton gave a labor speech at 12:15 p.m. at the Machinists Union Hall in Everett.
- After that, she visited with tribal leaders in Puyallup.
- She was set to attend a high-priced fundraiser in the early evening in Medina at the home of Costco co-founder Jeff Brotman and his wife, philanthropist Susan Brotman.
- Clinton hosted a public event Tuesday evening at Rainier Beach High School in Seattle. Doors opened around 6:50 p.m. and the presidential candidate took the podium for a half-hour speech around 9 p.m. Hundreds of supporters lined up outside the school for access; some waited all day and did not get inside.
Update, 10:15 p.m.
Clinton posed for selfie photos and shook hands for about 15 minutes after speaking at the South Seattle high school.
Supporter Dorothy Cordoba, 84, was fired up after the presidential candidate’s exit at the public event, which ended Clinton’s series of Washington stops on Tuesday ahead of this weekend’s Democratic caucuses.
“She said everything I want,” said Cordoba, a retiree from Seattle’s Montlake neighborhood. “Part of my family is for Bernie, but she has earned the right to become president.”
Update, 9:30 p.m.
Clinton ended her speech at Rainier Beach High School with a call to caucus Saturday.
“I’m well aware we have to work hard between now and Saturday to convince people in Washington, and I want you to ask them with me,” Clinton told the crowd, calling the state’s caucuses “an important milestone on this path to the nomination.”
The former secretary of state devoted much of her speech to attacking Republican candidates Donald Trump and Ted Cruz on grounds related to foreign policy. She mentioned Tuesday’s deadly bombings in Brussels, saying they should remind voters “how high the stakes are.”
“We live in a complex and dangerous world and we need a commander in chief who can provide leadership that is strong and smart,” Clinton said.
Clinton praised union workers for Boeing, saying she believes in the country’s manufacturing sector still and vowing to change the tax-code to help it grow.
Earlier in the day, Clinton took aim at the labor vote at the International Association of Machinists union hall, vowing to defend unions if elected and jabbing Sen. Bernie Sanders for opposing federal loan guarantees that aid Boeing and other Washington exporters.
“Some people say we can’t make things in America anymore,” Clinton said at the high school, adding, “I was in Everett today … Yes we can.”
Meanwhile, fans who were unable to get inside moved closer to the building throughout the rally, some of whom grew agitated.
Update, 9:15 p.m.
At Rainier Beach High School, deafening cheers from the crowd followed Clinton’s remarks on Tuesday’s primary results in Arizona. She won over Sen. Bernie Sanders in the state, where Trump won in the Republican race, according to the Associated Press.
“I’m also very proud we won Arizona tonight,” Clinton said.
Update, 9:03 p.m.
After applauding Rainier Beach High School’s basketball team, Clinton acknowledged the hundreds of supporters still waiting outside the Seattle school.
Update, 9 p.m.
Mayor Ed Murray, who endorsed Clinton Tuesday, introduced the presidential candidate, praising her views on minimum wage, early education and police reform. She took the podium for a half-hour speech shortly after 9 p.m.
Update, 8:45 p.m.
Results from Tuesday’s primaries started rolling in. Clinton had yet to take the stage at Rainier Beach High School.
Update, 7:45 p.m.
As Clinton supporters started filling Rainier Beach High School’s gymnasium, where the presidential candidate is expected to speak at 8:15 p.m., Katy Perry’s song “Roar” was playing. Meanwhile, hundreds of people were still waiting in the line outside, which wrapped halfway down Hamlet Avenue South. Here for a full video.
Update, 6:50 p.m.
Doors to the public event have opened. Supporters started heading inside after waiting in a massive line that wrapped around the high school’s parking lot.
While waiting in line, supporter Becky Hughes said Clinton fans want reformation, not a “revolution” like Sanders supporters.
Travis Stocking, who made the trip from the Puyallup area, said he supports the presidential candidate because he believes she will keep President Barack Obama’s work going.
Update, 6:15 p.m.
Update, 5 p.m.
Ahlaam Ibraahim and Ifrah Abshir, who are both seniors at the high school, said they hope the national attention from Clinton’s visit benefits the South Seattle school.
“I think our school is kind of representative of what’s happening in the country right now. We have these schools who are performing really well academically, but they lack funding. So, I think that the fact that Hillary is coming to Rainier Beach will shine a light on that,” Abshir said.
Update, 4:30 p.m.
Clinton is reportedly wrapping up her meeting with tribal leaders in Puyallup. She’s next heading to a fundraiser billed as a “Conversation with Hillary” in Medina at the home of Costco co-founder Jeff Brotman and his wife, philanthropist Susan Brotman. Tickets for the fundraiser are sold out; they were going for $2,700.
Update, 2:15 p.m.
ST Express buses traveling to and from Everett are expected to be delayed due to Clinton’s visit, Sound Transit posted on its website. Affected routes: 510, 511, 512, 513, 532 and 535.
Update, 2:13 p.m.
Clinton closed by urging Democrats to rally around her.
Update, 2 p.m.
Clinton pointed to the Internet as a key part of 21st-century foreign policy.
Update, 1:26 p.m.
As Bernie Sanders did in his visit to Seattle on Sunday, Clinton lauded efforts to raise the minimum wage.
She also addressed the struggles college students and graduates, and their families, have in affording tuition.
Update, 1:19 p.m.
Clinton has turned her attention to international trade.
The U.S. Export-Import Bank is a federal agency that provides insurance and financing aid to international transactions. Sanders mocked it in a CNN-sponsored debate before the Michigan primaries, calling it “The Bank of Boeing” and a form of corporate welfare. Boeing is among the corporations that get most of the Ex-Im support. Clinton says the bank preserves U.S. jobs and helps companies of all sizes.
Update, 1:10 p.m.
Clinton is now speaking to those gathered at the Machinists Union Hall in Everett.
Update, 1 p.m.
Update, 12:50 p.m.
“Captain Hillster” has been spotted at Everett rally for Clinton.
Also on hand: Jaxon Ravens, the chair of the Washington State Democrats.
Update, 12:11 p.m.
The Machinists Union Hall in Everett is filling up.
Update, noon
Update, 11:25 a.m.
Update, 10:35 a.m.
As Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke on CNN about the attacks in Brussels, people began lining up for her event in Everett.
Update, 10 a.m.
Chelsea Clinton campaigned for her mother in Tacoma this morning.