Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg is making appearances across North Carolina to mark the start of early voting for the Super Tuesday primary.
At a stop at a downtown Winston-Salem coffeehouse, Bloomberg peppered his comments with one-liners about his family, life in New York, and the presidential campaign.
On a more serious note, he said he wanted quality education for everyone, leadership in the global fight against climate change, and protection of a woman’s right to choose.
But ultimately he says his message is a simple one.
“Let me step back a second and tell you why I’m in this race though. I’m running to beat Donald Trump,” he said to loud cheers.
Bloomberg says North Carolina is an important swing state he’ll need to win in November.
He says he has momentum here, and there are some numbers to back him up. A new poll from High Point University finds him in third place behind Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden and just ahead of Elizabeth Warren.
The billionaire candidate has spent heavily in the state on advertising and paying a staff of more than 100 in North Carolina.
The sister of Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders supporter actress Susan Sarandon also planned Thursday events. Sanders has rallies scheduled for Friday in the state.
Bloomberg’s itinerary also included stops in Greensboro and Raleigh.
Registered voters or people who want to register now can cast ballots at locations in all 100 counties starting on Thursday through Feb. 29.
Primary Election Day is March 3.
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