VERMONT — In just a matter of a couple of days, former Vice President Joe Biden rose to be the front-runner in the Democratic presidential race. In the latest weeks before Super Tuesday, Biden had fallen in the national polls, but quickly gained the momentum he needed to win the majority of the 14 states voting on Super Tuesday. 

But in Vermont, Bernie Sanders’ hometown supporters said they still are holding onto the vision of their senator taking over the White House. They said his energy is much stronger now than 2016 and deserves recognition. 

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One of Sanders’ neighbors, Richard Hibberts, said the candidate had a “powerful presence,” no matter where he was. 

This time around, compared to 2016, Sanders picked up a large Latino base, more money, stronger surrogates like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, and three early primary/caucus wins. Hibberts said the support from California is likely due to the changes the state has seen during President Trump’s first term. 

“Whats happened in California in the last four years, affects immigration issues, it affects climate issues and California has suffered a great deal, and I think a lot of folks out there are sensitive to that and his record,” said Hibberts. 

Hibberts said because the White House has changed the trajectory of major policies, many Democrats are anxious to take back the White House. 

“People have become more concerned about the direction in which our country is going,” said Hibberts. “People have become more concerned about the direction in which our country is going,” said Hibberts. 

Even as the field narrows, Hibberts said he knows there are other strong candidates to back, especially former Vice President Joe Biden. 

“There’s room in our political community for a variety of opinions,” said Hibberts. “That’s the nature of American politics."