Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran as a Democrat during the 2016 presidential election and took part in the Democratic National Committee unity tour, on Tuesday declared, "I'm an Independent," The Hill reports.
"If the Democratic Party is going to succeed – and I want to see it succeed – it's gonna have to open its door to Independents," he said during an interview with MSNBC's Chris Hayes.
"There are probably more Independents in this country than Democrats or Republicans. It's got to open its doors to working people and to young people, create a grassroots party. That's what we need."
Sanders was on MSNBC with DNC chair Tom Perez. The two are traveling together on a "Come Together and Fight Back" multi-state tour to rally grassroots enthusiasm and attempt to strengthen the Democratic Party.
"I think the unity that we've shown in the recent efforts by [President] Trump to repeal the Affordable Care Act has been an energizing force for Democrats, Independents and others who share the values of inclusion and opportunity," said Sanders.
"We have shared values, we all believe America works best when everyone has a chance to succeed, when we have shared prosperity and not just prosperity for a few."
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