Chelsea Clinton, Actors to Stump Here Saturday

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign will bring political star power Saturday to the Mahoning Valley, with an appearance by Chelsea Clinton and two-time Academy Award-winning actress Sally Field.

In addition, members of the main cast of the critically acclaimed NBC political drama “The West Wing” will be in Boardman to stump for the Democratic nominee.

Joined by Field, Chelsea Clinton, will appear at an organizing event in the Covelli Center’s Youngstown State University Community Room at 2:45 p.m. There she “will lay out the stakes of November’s election for voters and emphasize her mom’s belief that Americans are stronger together when the economy works for everyone — not just those at the top,” according to the campaign advisory.

She will also urge Ohioans to register to vote ahead of the Oct. 11 deadline.

Doors open for the event at 2 p.m.

Shannon Tirone, associate vice president for university relations at YSU, confirmed Thursday that representatives of the Clinton campaign had scouted locations on campus earlier in the week and inquired about space. Representatives had wanted a smaller, intimate space with no fixed seating for more of a “standing room only” situation.

Spaces that met their requirements were already booked for other activities, so university officials made calls to connect the campaign with other facilities that would have space suited to their requirements.

“It is always good for students to be a part of any major communication, including political,” Tirone said. However, the university won’t displace student groups from space that already has been booked, she said.

Actor Sean Astin stumped for Clinton at YSU Thursday.

Tomorrow morning, members of the West Wing cast – actors Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford, Joshua Malina and Mary McCormack – will be at the Clinton campaign’s Boardman office, 4927 Market St., to discuss why they are supporting Clinton. Canvassing will follow.

“As a California Democrat, in order to have any effect on the general election, you have to leave town. The idea of going to a battleground state is thrilling for me,” Malina, who played Will Bailey on the NBC drama, told The Hollywood Reporter.

“My sense is that our mission statement isn’t about changing hearts and minds, it’s more about mobilizing the voters and getting people to reach out beyond their usual comfort zone to get other family members and friends to go out and vote,” he added.

Other members of the West Wing cast campaigning for Clinton in Ohio this weekend include Allison Janney and Dulé Hill.

Information about the Chelsea Clinton event is available here. Information about the Boardman event is available here.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.