Bernie Sanders, John Kasich holding rallies in Oregon on Thursday

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Democrat Bernie Sanders is making his third trip to Oregon since August, this time holding a rally on Thursday in Springfield in advance of the May 17 primary.

The Vermont Senator is expected to take the stage around noon, just a couple hours before Republican John Kasich's town hall in Portland.

Sanders' prospects for securing the Democratic nomination grew increasingly grim after Tuesday's primary losses in four states. He's laying off campaign workers across the country.

Kasich's Oregon appearance comes after he and GOP rival Ted Cruz reached a deal that is intended to try to thwart GOP front-runner Donald Trump. Cruz agreed not to compete for votes in Oregon and New Mexico, and Kasich will do the same for Cruz in Indiana.