The Democratic front-runner will be in the Garden State for three days next week.
WASHINGTON -- Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has a New Jersey fundraiser scheduled for Tuesday, will remain the Garden State for rallies the next two days in advance of the June 7 primary,
She's scheduled to appear at the Golden Dome Athletic Center at Rutgers University in Newark on Wednesday and then the Physical Education Building at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor on Thursday. Both are being touted as "organizing events," according to a campaign statement announcing the appearances.
Both Clinton and her rival for the Democratic presidential nomination, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, are spending most of their time in California, which also votes June 7 and will send 548 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia in July, compared to 142 for New Jersey.
But since Clinton is just 73 delegates short of the 2,383 she needs for a first-ballot victory, she could sew up the nomination before the polls close on the West Coast with a strong victory in New Jersey.
Clinton is coming to the state Tuesday for a fundraiser with U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who has been mentioned as a potential vice-presidential nominee for her.
Clinton led Sanders, 54 percent to 40 percent, in the most recent poll of likely New Jersey Democratic primary voters, taken May 10-16 by Quinnipiac University.
Her husband, former President Bill Clinton, campaigned in Edison Friday, touting the former secretary of state's experience in foreign policy.
"If you believe in a strong defense, a strong diplomacy, and an intelligent sense of safety, then she's the one you want to be president," he said.
Jonathan D. Salant may be reached at jsalant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JDSalant. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook