A Democratic National Committee aide says the fact Bernie Sanders is n't a registered Democrat should not be a presidential problem for him . `` In terms of who is eligible to participate as a candidate , we take our cues from the DNC 's rules . '' The party defines ` ` bona fide Democrat '' as someone ` ` whose record of public service , accomplishment , public writings '' comport with the party . Sanders has been an independent since the 1980s , but has been with the Democrats since coming to Congress in 1991 .
A Democratic National Committee aide says the fact Bernie Sanders is n't a registered Democrat should not be a presidential problem for him . The party defines ` ` bona fide Democrat '' as someone ` ` whose record of public service , accomplishment , public writings '' comport with the party . Sanders has been an independent since the 1980s , but has been with the Democrats since coming to Congress in 1991 .