Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will appear on the late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live'' and hold a rally at Ganesha High School in Pomona on Thursday night on the fifth consecutive day he has campaigned in the Southland.
Sanders is expected to discuss the usual themes for his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination at what his campaign has dubbed "A Future to Believe In" rally — getting big money out of politics, making public colleges and universities tuition free, combating climate change and ensuring universal health care.
Sanders is also scheduled to conduct an afternoon rally at Ventura College as he tries to win votes for the June 7 California primary.
Sanders on Thursday sent an email to his national fundraising list to support former Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold's bid to defeat Sen. Ron Johnson in a rematch of their 2010 race.
"We are going to have to elect candidates up and down the ballot who recognize that it is too late for establishment politics and economics," Sanders wrote.
"Russ led the fight with me to make the Affordable Care Act much stronger in 2009. He voted against the USA Patriot Act and the war in Iraq. He authored and passed landmark campaign finance reform legislation and his campaign is powered by small-dollar contributions like ours."
Sanders has previously sent fundraising emails on behalf of congressional candidates in Nevada, New York, Washington and Florida and eight candidates for state legislative seats.
"Bernie has always said this movement is about something bigger than him," said Jeff Weaver, Sanders' campaign manager. "Electing more candidates like Russ Feingold means progressives in the Senate can ensure the debates in Washington put working families ahead of corporate profits."
On Wednesday, the 74-year-old Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist who would be the nation's first Jewish president, held a midday rally in Cathedral City in Riverside County, and returned to Los Angeles County for a evening event at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster.
Also on Wednesday, Sanders announced his support for an initiative that will appear on the November ballot intended to lower the cost of prescription drugs by prohibiting state agencies from paying more for a prescription drug than the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
"We think it's a great start and we applaud the people of California for standing up to the pharmaceutical industry," Sanders said after meeting backers of the initiative in San Bernardino, including actor Danny Glover.
Opponents say the measure would cause shortages of prescription drugs, mimicking the lack of affordable apartments under rent control.
