Bernie Sanders is an American politician who has served as a U.S. Senator from Vermont since 2007. He is a self-described democratic socialist and is one of the longest-serving independent members of Congress in U.S. history. Sanders is known for his progressive policies, advocating for issues such as universal healthcare, tuition-free college, and a $15 minimum wage. He gained significant national attention during his presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020, where he mobilized a large grassroots movement and pushed the Democratic Party platform further to the left.