Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will host rallies in three of Iowa's largest cities next week, just days after launching his second campaign for president.

After a second place finish in the Democratic party's nominating contest in 2016, the Independent senator is hoping to stand out in this year's crowded field of Democratic contenders.

Sanders plans a three-day swing through Iowa this week:

Thursday, March 7

Council Bluffs: 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) rally at Mid-America Center's Exhibition Hall, 1 Arena Way. The event is free and open to the public, though RSVPs are encouraged.

Friday, March 8

Iowa City: 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) rally with University of Iowa Democrats and Young Democratic Socialists of America at the Main Lounge of the Iowa Memorial Union,125 N. Madison St. The event is free and open to the public and RSVPs are encouraged.

Saturday, March 9

Des Moines: 10:30 a.m. (doors open at 9:30 a.m.) rally at Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, 3000 E. Grand Ave. The event is free and open to the public, though RSVPs are encouraged.

Sanders announced his second presidential campaign on Feb 19. A self-identified Democratic socialist, he was expected to kick off his 2020 run with a rally in his native Brooklyn on Saturday and another rally on Sunday in Chicago, where he attended college and worked as an organizer.

In 2016, Sanders rocketed from underdog status to become a serious challenger to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He ultimately lost the Iowa caucuses to Clinton by one-fifth of one percentage point.