Source: Wikimedia Commons On April 29, Bernie Sanders, the independent [he caucuses with the Democrats] self-proclaimed democratic socialist Senator from Vermont announced that he was running for president of the United States of America, according to CNN. He will first have to win the Democratic nomination, which was seen as an easy Hillary victory before this announcement. It remains to be seen if Bernie Sanders will be able to be a real contender in the race, but it looks like the Democratic primary process won't be quite as boring/ non-existent as many were expecting it could turn out to be. Bernie Sanders is very liberal and could force Hillary to have to change up some of her positions and/or rhetoric to appeal to the liberal/progressive base that makes up those that participate in Democratic primaries. The Republican party is about to undergo a bitter and aggressive primary process itself. This news may prompt other Democratic presidential hopefuls to enter the race as well.