By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) has the support of a group of students at Illinois State University.

Redbirds for Bernie voiced their support for Sanders during a rally Monday afternoon on campus. Second year graduate student Mark Adams said Sanders is offering the massive government reform he believes Washington D.C. needs.

“I honestly think that Bernie can speak for me,” said Adams. “I’ve never seen a political figure that has represented my political views so much, on the T.”

After trailing in the polls by a wide margin to fellow Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, Sanders is now within seven points. Senior Andrew Dolgin offered his thoughts on why Sanders has made such a strong comeback.

“The reason he was so far behind to start was because people don’t know him. Name recognition is a big thing, especially so early, and everybody knows who Hillary Clinton is and they basically have an opinion formed,” said Dolgin. “Bernie Sanders is some old, white socialist from Vermont that most people have never heard of.

“It takes a little while, but once they start to know him, they hear his platform, they hear him talk; he’s honest and he’s straight forward.”

Adams said he has “profound respect” for Clinton, but he does not agree with her on important issues, such as war.

“She has supported the Iraq War and she is a known, quote on quote, ‘war hawk,'” said Adams. “I would not use that term, because it’s a little bit rough, but she does favor war nonetheless.”

Adams added Sanders voting record shows he has been a progressive since the 1960s, whereas Clinton has only become a progressive in the past decade.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].