As the 2016 presidential election heats up, pundits and strategists speculate on the likeliest party nominees. However, the current state of our nation’s political system is a broken one; since the advent of Reagan’s administration, there has been a large shift of power and wealth to the upper class. Big corporations have an iron grip over the government, and primarily use it for the greedy purpose of accruing more capital. Who will choose to stand in defiance of corporate interest and greed and defend the interest of the working class?

The answer to that question is Bernie Sanders, the longest serving independent in history, and a Senator that represents Vermont. In my eyes, Sanders is the best suited candidate to help change our nation for the better, against the influence of money and greed. A democratic socialist that runs a progressive campaign, Sanders runs not for his own benefit but rather for the sake of the working class. He stands as a voice of equality, calm, and composure in a political field filled with lies and deceit.

Jason Zhao, a junior, and a passionate advocate for Sanders, believes, “[Sander’s vision] is a fairer America for the masses, not a richer one where all the wealth goes to the wealthy few or top 1%.”

In addition to running a platform against the rich and the influence of money in politics, Sander’s campaign is about an agenda that will help create jobs, raise wages, protect our environment, and so much more.

Sanders comes from a lower middle-class background, which reaffirms his progressive campaign against the upper class. His mother was a Jewish immigrant from Poland. His dad, Eli, was a high school dropout who barely made any money but worked diligently to support his family,  putting in more than 25,000 miles on his car for a year just to work. Sander’s upbringing has really helped shape his morals and political stance upon growing up; in fact, it made him even more determined to take a bold position that few would fathom to take. While it has garnered him much hatred and criticism from the wealthy, it has gained him even more supporters.

Another reason why Sanders is my favorite presidential candidate is his consistency. While many candidates have wavered in their stances politically, Sanders has fought for the same things in his three decades of experience in politically elected office. He has been the most vocal for raising taxes on the richest Americans who qualify for the top income tax bracket, environmental protection, as well as fairer taxes on corporations. This consistency is an invaluable aspect that further singles him from the wide pool of contenders.

Sanders is also the only candidate currently running without corporate money and is building a large grassroots support that is surprising many with its growth and rising popularity. In July 18, he set a new record for 2016 presidential crowd with 28,000 in Portland, Oregon, and has continued his momentum ever since, having drawn an estimated crowd of 20,000 people last Saturday night in Boston.
All in all, I believe Sanders is the ideal contender to win the Democratic primary as well as the presidency; his campaign is proof that someone can win a campaign by raising money from the regular working class and, “moneyed interests.”