By Adam Studzinski

NORMAL – The 2016 presidential primary election is still a long way off, but supporters of Democratic candidate U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) are already rallying for the man they believe should be the next president.

Sanders backers gathered at The Coffeehouse Wednesday in Uptown Normal. Mack Epps, of Hudson, was one of the many who showed his support.

“He’s the man,” said Epps. “You can tell the man has not been manufacture. He speaks from his heart. You can really tell what is important to him and that is working families and getting America back on track.”

Epps’ wife, Shelly, also supports Sanders. She said he’s been fighting for the same things for a long time.

“He’s talking about the things that people have been sitting in the background waiting for somebody to honestly address, and we feel like we can trust him because he’s been saying the same things he’s said for 40 years,” said Shelly. “He didn’t just pop up yesterday with three different views between now and then.

“He hasn’t been heard because he’s been brave enough to say the things that powers that be don’t want to be said.”

Supporters watched a video message from Sanders and were able to sign up to join teams will be organizing locally and nationally throughout the 2016 campaign.

Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].