US SENATOR Bernie Sanders has announced he will seek the Democratic nomination for a second time ahead of the 2020 presidential race.
The 77-year-old lost out to Hillary Clinton in 2016 despite a huge swell in grassroots support for his self-styled 'Democratic socialist' movement, before Donald Trump beat Clinton in the presidential election later that year.
In an email to his supporters announcing his latest bid for the White House today, the Vermont senator took aim at President Trump who he called "the most dangerous president in modern American history".
I'm running for president. I am asking you to join me today as part of an unprecedented and historic grassroots campaign that will begin with at least 1 million people from across the country. Say you're in: https://t.co/KOTx0WZqRf pic.twitter.com/T1TLH0rm26
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) 19 February 2019
Sanders added: "Three years ago, during our 2016 campaign, when we brought forth our progressive agenda we were told that our ideas were ‘radical’ and ‘extreme’.
"Well, three years have come and gone. And, as result of millions of Americans standing up and fighting back, all of these policies and more are now supported by a majority of Americans.
"Together, you and I and our 2016 campaign began the political revolution. Now, it is time to complete that revolution and implement the vision that we fought for."
Although Sanders is an independent senator and not a member of the Democratic Party in the Senate, he often aligns with them on progressive issues such as Medicare for All and free college tuition.
Powerful special interests may have the money, but we have the people. Supporters from all 50 states have donated to our unprecedented grassroots campaign. Say you're in: https://t.co/4YhCuNlKEk pic.twitter.com/d32UxxRi9q
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) 19 February 2019
He joins what is becoming an increasingly crowded field of candidates seeking the 2020 Democratic nomination - a group which already includes Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand and Amy Klobuchar.
Born to Jewish parents with roots in Poland and Russia, Sanders grew up poor in Brooklyn, New York and became involved in the Civil Rights movement while a student at the University of Chicago.
He was elected Mayor of Burlington, Vermont in 1981 before becoming the state's sole representative in Congress in 1990. He served there until he joined the Senate in 2006.
Following the election of President Trump, Sanders published a book titled Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In.
He has four children and is married to Irish-American Jane O'Meara, a former president of Burlington College and his closest adviser.
