Bernie Sanders

Vermont senator is longest-serving independent member of U.S. Congress

Born: Sep 8, 1941 in New York, son of Polish Jewish immigrants

Education: Attends University of Chicago, where he is active in civil rights movement. Graduates in 1964

1970s: Joins anti-war Liberty Union Party, makes several unsuccessful bids for public office

1990: Enters U.S. House of Representatives as independent. Vocal opponent of 2003 Iraq invasion

1980s: Serves four terms as mayor of Burlington, Vermont

2006: Elected to Senate. Gains attention with marathon 2010 speechagainst proposed tax cuts for wealthy.Re-elected to Senate in 2012

Apr 2015: Announces bid to see kDemocratic presidential nomination

Picture: Associated Press