While the Democratic presidential nomination race continues to be dominated by Senator Hillary Clinton; in the spring of 2015, Clinton began to see a decline in her overall approval rating, and a subsequent rise in the rating of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders has drawn massive amounts of attention from the young voting demographic, though Clinton’s support network remains strong.

Sanders’ liberal economist ideas aren’t the only pushing factors in his campaign. To Democratic voters and 2014 ERHS alum Joan Briggs, Sanders displays a thoroughness in well-being as well as consistency. “He’s always stood for what he believes in since the beginning of his involvement in politics,” she commented, vocalizing her support for Sanders not only as a trustworthy candidate, but as a viable one as well.

“He’s for change and he’s for the youth” Briggs continued, explaining how Senator Sanders’ policies and ideas manifest the support of most people in her age range of 18-24. According to the National Census Bureau, this age group makes up about 10% of the primary vote, a figure that could push the Vermont Senator closer in competition to Clinton.

Planning to register as a Republican, twelfth grader Vinai Rachakonda stated he would prefer a Sanders victory in the primary, as he doesn’t “trust Hillary at all.” Though displeased with both as he says Sanders “lacks substance,” Rachakonda is not enthusiastic about any of the potential Democratic nominees.

Despite the enthusiasm for Sanders, Hillary Clinton continues to dominate public approval polls. According to Real Clear Politics, as of Oct. 13, she is still 17.2 points in the lead, almost triple the 6.0 point gap in the leading candidates for the GOP nomination.