Bernie Sanders is a 78-year- old US senator and former mayor of Burlington, Vermont. 

Aiming to avert climate change, Sanders has been proposing policies that aim to transition America away from  fossil fuel dependence. 

Sanders co-sponsored a proposition for the Green New Deal with US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, calling for the US to eliminate fossil fuel use by 2050. 

In 2016, Sanders proposed eliminating tuition at public colleges and lowering student loan interest rates. He proposes the  cancellation of $1.6 trillion of student loan debt for every American, planning to pay for it with a tax on Wall Street speculation. 

Sanders’ “College for All Act” states the federal government will finance 67 percent of these propositions, and states will finance the remaining amount. 

An advocate for reform in the immigration system, Sanders hopes to reshape America as a nation that welcomes immigrants and those seeking asylum.

Sanders is a leading candidate in the discussion of healthcare, with his “Medicare-for-all” bill drafted in 2017. This proposes a national health insurance system funded by a public program and eliminating private insurers. 

About 86 percent of Democratic primary voters have heard of Bernie Sanders, making him one of the most well known candidates in the crowded field.

Sanders has a large appeal to younger voters. According to Politico, amongst 39 percent of Democrats under the age of 45, Sanders is the top choice candidate. 

In contrast, Sanders only ranks first choice candidate amongst 16 percent of Democrats above the age of 45.