Democratic presidential contender John Edwards told farmworkers and labor leaders Friday he would fight to allow undocumented immigrants work their way toward citizenship.
Edwards spoke to citrus workers and officials from the United Farm Workers in the San Joaquin Valley during a tour of California that will also include campaign and fundraising stops in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area.
The former North Carolina senator stressed his support for organized labor.
"These workers are at the heart of why I want to be president of the United States," Edwards said, flanked by UFW President Arturo Rodriguez. "We need comprehensive immigration reform in this country, and that includes the ability of people to earn citizenship."
Edwards’ rural roots might give him an edge in Central California, a region his leading rivals for the Democratic nomination, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, have yet to visit, political analysts said.
"Edwards is trying to work the unions to get the early endorsements and he can relate to ag people as well" said David Schecter, a political scientist at California State University, Fresno. "That’s crucial, but even more so will be raising several hundred thousand dollars an hour."
Officials at the Federal Election Commission say the 2008 race could be the country’s first $1 billion presidential election.
On Thursday, Edwards announced he had surpassed his Internet fundraising goal of $1 million. Clinton has more than $11 million in her campaign chest, left over from her Senate campaign, and Obama has more than $500,000.
Following an afternoon luncheon with elected officials and industrial leaders at a Fresno golf course, Edwards was scheduled to attend fundraisers in Santa Monica and San Francisco, spokeswoman Kate Bedingfield said. His campaign also planned student rallies at the University of California, Berkeley and UCLA.