Bernie Sanders is an American politician who has served as a U.S. senator from Vermont since 2007 and is one of the best-known progressive voices in U.S. politics. An Independent who caucuses with the Democratic Party, he previously served as mayor of Burlington, Vermont, and later represented Vermont in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sanders gained national prominence during his 2016 and 2020 campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination, where he advocated for policies such as Medicare for All, tuition-free public college, a higher federal minimum wage, and stronger action on climate change. Although he did not win the nomination, his campaigns attracted millions of supporters and significantly influenced the Democratic Party's policy discussions.

Sanders was born into a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York. His father immigrated to the United States from what is now Poland, and many of his relatives were killed in the Holocaust, an experience that has shaped his views on human rights, intolerance, and social justice. While Sanders has said that he is not particularly religious in practice, he has spoken openly about his Jewish heritage and has described his faith as influencing his commitment to justice, equality, and caring for those in need. Throughout his career, he has focused on issues including economic inequality, workers' rights, healthcare reform, veterans' services, and campaign finance reform, making him one of the most influential progressive political figures in the United States.

Bernie Sanders is an Independent, but he caucuses with the Democratic Party in the U.S. Senate.

Here's what that means:

• Political affiliation: Independent (he is not a registered Democrat).
• Senate caucus: He works with the Democrats, votes with them most of the time, and receives committee assignments through the Democratic caucus.
• Presidential campaigns: Sanders sought the Democratic Party's presidential nomination in both 2016 and 2020, even though he remained an Independent.

Sanders has described himself as a democratic socialist, advocating policies such as universal healthcare, stronger labor protections, and expanded social programs. While he has maintained his independent status throughout his congressional career, he generally aligns with Democrats on most legislative issues and has endorsed Democratic presidential nominees in general elections after his own primary campaigns ended.