Sanders event adds Portugal. The Man and actor Tim Robbins to Tacoma Dome rally
Update Feb. 15: Story has been updated with more details.
If you’re headed to Bernie Sanders’ free Presidents’ Day rally Feb. 17 at the Tacoma Dome, plan to get there early.
The rally will feature the senator from Vermont and Democratic presidential contender, along with U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal. Jayapal is the Washington state chair and health policy chair for Bernie 2020 and represents the state’s 7th Congressional District.
Also, the campaign announced in a news release Saturday that musical act Portugal. The Man will perform at the event and Oscar-winning actor/director Tim Robbins will also make an appearance at the rally.
Officials with the Tacoma Dome told The News Tribune on Saturday that the Dome’s parking lots will open at 1 p.m. the day of the event. The parking fee will be $10.
“With limited parking around the Dome, we recommend parking downtown and riding the free Tacoma Link,” said Tammi Bryant, media representative for Tacoma Venues & Events.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Admission is first come, first served.
The rally is set to begin at 6 p.m. first with the musical portion, then followed at 7 p.m. by the rally and speakers. Though tickets are not required, RSVP is encouraged at https://bit.ly/37mULB1.
Afterward, the last northbound link will depart at 9:48 p.m. from Tacoma Dome Station.
Campaigns ramp up in state
The event is Sanders’ first visit to Washington in the the 2020 campaign cycle and underscores how much Tacoma and Washington are becoming more of a battleground for Democratic contenders, after the state moved up in the primary cycle.
Sanders’ event announcement noted that the campaign and its volunteers have held more than 1,100 events across the state, and an array of organizing events continue through the month.
Earlier this month, the campaign of another Democratic contender, former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg, opened an office downtown on Broadway.
Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards endorsed Bloomberg in December.
Campaign volunteers and representatives for former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg have appeared at the Point Ruston Farmers Market and a recent veterans job fair at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. They also plan a series of volunteer events across the state through the end of the month, including “Pete-Ups,” meetings for those interested in learning more about the candidate or the campaign.
Buttigieg made a Seattle appearance Saturday (Feb. 15) for a private fundraising event at Bell Harbor International Conference Center, of which about 350 people were expected to attend, according to an event volunteer.
Meanwhile, Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s campaign on Saturday announced Warren will be at the Seattle Center Armory Feb. 22. The event is free.
Warren’s campaign also has multiple supporter outreach events planned in Tacoma and the surrounding area in the next few weeks, according to its campaign events website, including canvassing, phone banking and a supporters’ LGBTQIA+ event, “Wigs for Warren” rally and drag show (not a fundraiser, donations go to performers) planned for 9 p.m. March 5 at The Swiss Restaurant & Pub, 1904 Jefferson Ave.
Ballots in Washington’s presidential primary go out Feb. 21, one day before the Nevada Democratic caucuses.
Washington’s primary is March 10, one week after Super Tuesday.
The last presidential candidate to make a T-Dome appearance was then-U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) Aug. 28, 2004, who had a rally at the Dome parking lot.
For any candidates still interested in going the Kerry route, Bryant noted that “A parking lot license fee is $3,000 (one lot — nothing else). Stage, power, portable bathrooms, staff, etc, to actually present an event like a rally would all be on top of that.”
According to Bryant, the standard facility license (rental) fee for inside the Dome is a bit more — $65,000 — the amount of the Sanders campaign’s license agreement with the site.
This story was originally published February 15, 2020 at 7:30 AM.
