VIDEOS/PHOTOS: Trump promises winning for Dutchess, America

Businessman Donald Trump brought his insurgent presidential campaign to the City of Poughkeepsie, sparking a turnout that flooded the downtown area and offering a restorative vision of America's future that is secure and prosperous.

"We are going to start winning again," the Republican front-runner said to an overflow crowd of supporters at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center Sunday. "We are going to win, win, win. We are going to win so much, you are going to say, 'Mr. President, we are winning so much I can’t take it anymore.' And I am going to say, 'I don’t care. We are going to keep winning.' "

Mark Johnson, chief of the City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department, said 3,200 people filled the main hall at the Civic Center to capacity, and another 800 watched from the ice rink next door.

Outside, a carnival atmosphere filled sun-splashed Market Street, with lines of supporters greeted by peddlers selling T-shirts, hats, buttons and other souvenirs. Some businesses normally closed on a Sunday opened their doors to serve the throng.

And a group of about 200 protesters ended up at the Civic Center without incident.

Trump, who has a commanding lead in the polls ahead of Tuesday's New York primary, continued his months-long assault on the political establishment, trade deals, immigration policy, the battle against extremist terrorism and, more recently, maneuvers by his rivals to impede his progress toward a clinching total of delegates.

"We are going to make it without relying on the political bosses," he said.

To that end, he called for a heavy turnout in a state where he is already heavily favored to win, looking to build a populist firewall against any effort to recruit delegates away from him.

"They call it a phenomenon. The movement is about common sense," he said.

Jarret Jackob, a 38-year-old Trump supporter and New York City school teacher from Hopewell Junction, said he believes the rules governing the apportionment of delegates should not be changed "mid-game.

"Whether I agree with rules, they were established beforehand and they need to be followed," he said.

Heading into Tuesday's primary, Trump holds a 29-point lead over Ohio Gov. John Kasich among likely Republican primary voters in New York, according to a NBC 4 New York/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll released Friday.

Fifty-four percent said they favored Trump, compared with 25 percent for Kasich and 16 percent for Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.

However, city resident Katie Hite, 53, was part of the protests and expressed concern about Trump and how he plays into "the worst hates and fears.

"We're a city that wants to support each other, and the Trump message is the opposite of that," Hite said.

He also paid tribute to the man who introduced him to the Civic Center audience, Dutchess County Sheriff Butch Anderson, who earlier this month was named one of three honorary co-chairmen of Trump's New York campaign.Trump acknowledged his local connections, mentioning Trump National Golf Club, Hudson Valley, in Stormville and a restaurant, Monte's Local Kitchen & Tap Room in Amenia, that is owned by his brother's fiancée.

"Where is Butch?" Trump asked, scanning the crowd.

When Anderson walked onto the stage in the middle of Trump's speech, Trump saluted him saying, "That shows you how aggressive Butch Anderson is."

The billionaire real estate mogul continued to bash his rivals from both parties. He referred to Cruz as "Lyin' Ted" four times.

He ridiculed Kasich as a floundering candidate who would "sink like a rock" if Kasich endured even a fraction of the negative advertising that has been aimed at Trump.

He blasted former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front-runner, with his newest sobriquet, "Crooked Hillary."

"To think she has a chance? Can't let it happen," he said. "We are going to beat her so easily."

And he dismissed Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who held a rally at Marist College Tuesday, as a communist

Matthew Woliver, a 23-year-old Beacon resident who majored in political science at Marist College, echoed the sentiments of others who were happy to see New York relevant in the primary process again.

"To see this happening in New York is not something you normally see," Woliver said.

A registered Republican, Woliver listed jobs and immigration as issues important to him.

Trump, he said, "knows how to run a business. Maybe America needs that."

Staff writer Amanda Fries contributed to this report. John Ferro: 845-437-4816; jferro@poughkeepsiejournal.com; Twitter: @PoJoEnviro