Bernie Sanders' decision to run for president as a Democrat after touting his status as an independent during 26 years in Congress sparked frustration among supporters of Hillary Clinton during their bitter primary battle. | Jonathan Alcorn/AFP/Getty Images Sanders joins Democratic leadership, isn't officially a Democrat He says he'll continue to identify as an independent, despite running for president as a Democrat.

Bernie Sanders was just appointed to the Senate Democratic leadership team. But the Vermont senator still isn't becoming an official member of the party.

After new Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer on Wednesday added the 2016 presidential candidate to his leadership slate as outreach director, Sanders waved off a question from POLITICO about whether he is now a full-fledged Democrat. An aide later confirmed that the Vermont senator would remain an independent who caucuses with Democrats.


Sanders' decision to run for president as a Democrat after touting his status as an independent during 26 years in Congress sparked frustration among supporters of Hillary Clinton during their bitter primary battle. The Vermonter said during the Democratic National Convention in July that he would be leaving the party after Clinton defeated him to serve the remaining two years of his Senate term as an independent.

Democrats also named Sanders the ranking member of the Budget Committee.