Sen. Barbara Boxer Barbara Levy BoxerThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Biden, Harris launch Trump offensive in first joint appearance Bottom line Polls show big bounce to Biden ahead of Super Tuesday MORE (D-Calif.) said presidential candidate Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE has been helpful to the Democratic Party by galvanizing young voters — possibly with help from his resemblance to that generation's grandfathers.

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“Bernie’s entry in the race I think was very helpful, because he was able to communicate to the young people who were longing to hear their grievances addressed,” Boxer said in an interview with SiriusXM’s Julie Mason. “There was a psychologist I heard who said that the young people look at Bernie as their grandpa. You know, ‘Oh it’s my grandpa and he’s gonna do great things for me.’ And so he connected with a whole group of voters who don’t ordinarily vote.”

Boxer, a Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE backer, added that she is optimistic that Sanders will help the party defeat presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE in the general election.

“Now I think what’s important now is that we unify once all the votes are in. And if we do unify and I take Bernie at his word, he said he’s gonna do everything in his power to keep Donald Trump out of the White House. If that’s fact, and I do believe it to be so, I think we’ll be fine," she said.

Boxer was booed by Sanders supporters as she gave a speech at the Nevada Democratic convention recently, where she later said she feared for her safety.