Political Candidates Stump at Columbus Day Parades

 Twitter: @markcurtisABC6

It could be one of the last big volleys of campaign 2014.

Just about ever Rhode Island candidate under the sun was walking in Woonsocket‘s annual, “Autumnfest” parade.

Many were shaking hands and listening to voters.

“It’s a happy day. It’s Columbus Day. I think the whole Town of Woonsocket came out for this parade. But I tell you, if you walk down the streets of Woonsocket, you see one thing – we need to get Rhode Islanders back to work. There are a lot of people on these sidelines who are unemployed, or underemployed,” said Treasurer Gina Raimondo, (D) Nominee for Rhode Island Governor.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Allan Fung was hearing much the same thing.

In this close race, it’s the economy.

“Meeting people in their backyard, especially up here in Woonsocket. It’s resonating. They know what I am trying to do to get the economy back, get people back to work, especially up here,” said Mayor Allan Fung, (R) Nominee for Rhode Island Governor.

ABC6 Chief Political Reporter Mark Curtis said,  “With just three weeks to go before Election Day, parades like this are critical to the candidates, to get out their message one last time, to a lot of people.”

Lots of candidates were here, for a whole variety of offices.

Even the former “Cool Moose” was working the parade, now as the Moderate Party nominee for Governor.

“Today we’ve gotten a decent response. Everybody seems to be very positive about the whole experience, and telling me to ‘keep going’ and ‘good luck,'” said Bob Healey, (M) Nominee for Rhode Island Governor.

Every two years, the Autumnfest parade is on the “must “do” list for most political candidates.