Bernie Sanders announced he was ending his 2020 presidential campaign this week, after a long and at times bitter road that did not lead to the Democratic Party nomination. While Sanders intends to continue to collect delegates from state primaries to solidify his influence at the (now postponed) Democratic National Convention, the suspension of his campaign's activities (some of which were already reoriented toward coronavirus relief) means Sanders can now continue to address the COVID-19 pandemic as an Independent senator from Vermont.

As Sanders’s role shifts, so too does the role of the movement that’s carried him. He was the “Not Me, Us” candidate, so in the interest of finding out what the “Us” is up to, Teen Vogue asked dozens of Sanders supporters, donors, and volunteers about what comes next. We received 69 total responses to our query, “What has Sanders’s political career meant to you, and how do you plan to move forward?”

The answers came from people all over the country (and even a couple from abroad), who ranged in age from 11 to 71. Forty of the responses have been included below, edited heavily for length and lightly for clarity, to present a representative sample of what the Sanders movement told us.

They spoke passionately of anger and grief, as well as gratitude and determination. Several themes emerged, including a renewed focus on local organizing, recognition of Sanders as a politically radicalizing influence, and support for and concerns about Joe Biden (especially the sexual assault allegations against him, which his campaign has adamantly denied). Taken together, the answers embody the wisdom of writer and educator Mariame Kaba, who wrote, “Let this radicalize you rather than lead you to despair.”

Irina

11 | Chicago, Illinois | they/them

Sanders’s political career means a lot to me, and I think we should keep moving forward to try and get the values that Bernie believes in to make it through the government.

Joyce Jiang

17 | Virginia | she/her

Since I was 13 or 14 years old, Senator Sanders was my “political awakening.” To move forward, I encourage his supporters to first heal. But do not give up. Keep organizing and continue the work because the movement still lives on.

Harper

28 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | she/her

He influenced me to get into politics back when I was only 13. My political leanings might have moved past him by now, but I plan to do my best as an organizer and a volunteer.

Anonymous

she/her

Even though I saw this coming, this was the first presidential election I was going to be able to vote in. It’s really disheartening to feel that the party you are affiliated with doesn’t care about you. I now understand why so many adults hate politics; this system is rigged.

Debby Randolph

71 | New York, New York | she/her

Sanders's political career has changed the game for people who support progressive ideals. Moving forward, it's going to be the same slog it always has. Progress will mean slowing down the unnecessary suffering and greed, not stopping it.

Alexandria Musson

22 | Madison Heights, Michigan | they/them

Bernie’s campaign meant a voice for those of us who constantly struggle with the costs of a failing health care system, time and time again pleading for payment plans. I never chose to get sick or become disabled, but I don’t want to let it hurt everything I’ve been able to achieve.

Kavita Rai

18 | Los Angeles, California | she/her