Students weigh in on Sanders’ endorsement

Bernie Sanders ended his campaign Tuesday when he officially endorsed Hillary Clinton at a campaigning event in New Hampshire.

Matt Zwerling, a 21-year-old environmental economics senior, said he helped found Progressive Gators last year and often had to explain who Bernie Sanders was.

“I always thought, ‘Yeah right, like someone who calls himself a democratic socialist could ever get anywhere in American politics,’” he said. “The fact that now we have the ability to be angry that it was such a close battle is such a victory.”

Zwerling said Sanders gained a majority of his support from people in the 18-35 age range, and that he hopes momentum from the campaign and Sanders’ platform will have a positive effect on local elections.

Khari Ollivierre, a 22-year-old computer science senior and an ambassador with Students for Trump, said though Clinton supporters may be excited about the endorsement, they don’t realize some former Sanders supporters are becoming angry and starting to leave their party.

He said the campaigns of Sanders and Donald Trump shared several policy ideas, including the candidates’ ideas on trade agreement.

“Hopefully they’ll realize that Trump really is someone that wants what’s best for the American people,” he said. “Just like Bernie Sanders.”

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton waves to supporters with Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., during a rally in Portsmouth, N.H., Tuesday, July 12, 2016, where Sanders endorsed her for president.