Bernie Sanders, the independent Vermont senator who caucuses with Democrats, has ruled out a 2028 presidential bid citing his age and instead focused on elevating aligned progressives through endorsements in the 2026 cycle. He backed winners including Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Senate primary, Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota, and Ed Markey in Massachusetts, while supporting dozens of state and House candidates emphasizing Medicare for All, workers’ rights, and checks on corporate power. Recent activity has centered on AI regulation, including a joint “pro-human” event with Steve Bannon and legislation to ban superintelligent AI and phase in a 32-hour workweek. Speculation about his 2028 leanings centers on figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Ro Khanna, though no endorsement has been announced. Traders monitor primary outcomes, polling trends in key states, and any signals from Sanders’ network for clues on timing and preference.