On Friday, Oct. 19, thousands of people congregated in IU’s Dunn Meadow to see Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) speak in support of Liz Watson, the Democratic candidate for Congress in Indiana’s 9th District. Members of both organizations, along with Dana Black, the Indiana Democratic Party’s deputy chairwoman for engagement, and Brett Vorhies, the president of the Indiana AFL-CIO, addressed the crowd as people continued to arrive.

Two years ago, Sanders spoke at the IU Auditorium as he was campaigning for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Thousands of Hoosiers attended the rally then, and when the Watson campaign announced the “Vote! With Bernie” event via Facebook on Sept. 22, hundreds of people signed up to attend within the first twenty-four hours. Volunteers for Liz Watson combed Dunn Meadow before the rally began, trying to recruit volunteers for her campaign.

Nina Turner, a former Ohio state senator and the president of Our Revolution, an organization started by Sanders after his presidential bid in 2016, chided the audience about Indiana’s poor voter turnout in previous elections and pushed for increased voter turnout in the midterm election.

“I heard a rumor that you guys rank fiftieth when it comes to voting, and sisters and brothers, we cannot fall asleep. In a democracy, we must be always up and poppin’, hashtagging, and showing up woke at all times,” Turner said. “So Indiana, we are going to show them how awakened we are by making sure that we get out to vote, because the greatest equalizer that we have is ‘one woman, one man, one vote.’ It is the place where we are equal.”

After being introduced by a member of the College Democrats of IU, Sanders approached the podium amid an avalanche of screams and cheers. He also touched on Indiana’s low voter turnout and the way in which low voter turnout affected political outcomes.

“What Republicans want is for people not to vote,” Sanders said. “In 2014, almost two out of three Americans did not vote. In Indiana, the voter turnout was 28%, which was the lowest in the country. Well Indiana, let’s change that.”

Sanders continued by touching on some of the high-profile policy ideas that he and Liz share, such as a Medicare for All healthcare system and a $15 minimum wage. He then went on to introduce Watson to the crowd.

“We’re gonna come together and elect Liz Watson as your next representative,” Sanders said.

Watson was delayed in speaking as chants of “Bernie, Bernie” and “Liz, Liz” exploded across the field. She began by thanking Sanders for coming to campaign with her.

“My friends, how excited are we to have Senator Bernie Sanders here with us? It is such a great honor that Senator Sanders has decided to come here and join us,” Watson said. “He is here today because he knows what we know. The election in just a couple of short weeks is the most important election of our lifetime.”

Watson officially launched her campaign for Congress in July of 2017. She defeated progressive, civil rights attorney Dan Canon and moderate, truck driver Rob Chatlos to win the Democratic primary with 66.4% of the vote. Running on a platform of Medicare for All, a $15 minimum wage, better gun control and the College for All Act, Watson went up against Republican Congressman Trey Hollingsworth, who won the seat in 2016. Hollingsworth has faced criticism from both Democrats and Republicans for moving from Tennessee to run for the open congressional seat in 2016 and for limiting his interactions with constituents.

As the rally drew to a close, Watson reminded the crowd of exactly why she was running for Congress.

“We are here today because we have each other’s backs. That’s an idea that’s as American as apple pie. But our leaders in Washington don’t get that idea. They just don’t get it. You know why they don’t get it? It’s because they represent rich and powerful special interests who make millions off of ripping off our workers, ripping off the sick, and loansharking our students,” Watson said.

When she was done addressing the group assembled on Dunn Meadow, Watson joined Sanders, Turner, and Black in leading people across the Bloomington downtown via 7th Street to the early voting location. As Sanders and Watson passed stores and restaurants, many people waved at and cheered for the politicians. Upon reaching the early voting location, Sanders and Turner departed for Ann Arbor, MI, where Sanders was scheduled to speak that night on behalf of Gretchen Whitmer, the Democratic candidate for governor.

Despite voter turnout in Monroe County reaching a record-high for a midterm election, which was thought to be a key component in a potential Watson victory, Hollingsworth won the election with 59% to Watson’s 40%.

In addressing her supporters during her concession speech on the night of Nov. 6, Watson commended their work ethic and participation.

“We took a big shot here, my friends, and we left it all out on the field,” Watson said.