Demo candidate Bernie Sanders brings his presidential quest to the Central Valley

Sanders began his stump speech at about 4 p.m. Earlier in the day he had spoken in Bakersfield and was to finish his day with another speech at the Fresno Fairgrounds about 7 p.m.

Sunday’s event was the first visit to the Visalia, Hanford and Lemoore area since Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis make a train stop in Hanford in 1988.

A large crowd, numbering several thousand, filled the west end of the football field, and the stands were mostly full as Sanders began to speak. All spectators were required to walk through metal detectors under the prying eyes of Secret Service agents prior to entering the stadium.

Sanders with shirt sleeves rolled up and sporting a baseball cap, seemed unfazed by the 95-degree temperature in the stadium. He delivered his by now familiar message about financial inequality, climate change and of course Donald Trump, whom he recently challenged to a debate. Trump initially welcomed the debate, then backed off the next day.

Sanders ridiculed Trump’s message, particularly when the Republican told a Fresno crowd last week that there is no drought in California, and he told his Visalia audience that if he is the Democratic nominee he will defeat Trump easily.

Unlike Republican nominee Donald Trump, Sanders audience was friendly and cheered often for the surprising presidential candidate.