Democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders expected to announce 2020 presidential run

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), hero of the Democratic socialist movement, is planning another run for the White House, Yahoo News reported.

What are the details?

Sanders is feeling more confident as early polls for the 2020 race have placed him as a top choice among many possible Democratic candidates, according to the report. Several candidates Sanders backed also won elections last year.

One encouraging figure for Sanders suggests he is a top choice among African American and Latino voters, the report stated. Sanders was believed to have struggled with gaining support from those groups during his 2016 run for the White House.

Sources told Yahoo News that Sanders is currently building the infrastructure he would need for a 2020 run. If elected, he would be 79-years-old at inauguration time.

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Sanders ran on a platform that included income equality and a "Medicare-for-all" health care plan. Those issues are also supported by progressive members of the Democratic party.

The Democratic National Committee had formed a "unity commission" that had supporters of both Sanders and 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Sanders' influence was seen when the DNC made rule changes that supported his "curbing the role of unelected superdelegates in choosing the party's presidential nominee."

The DNC also put into place a rule that would make it more difficult for independents like Sanders to obtain the Democratic party's presidential nomination.

Sanders' allies believe that rule would not hurt his presidential campaign. For example, the Vermont Democratic Party passed a resolution last year to recognize him as a full member, the report stated.

Would he run as an Independent?

According to Yahoo News, Sanders is likely to run as a Democrat for the 2020 presidential election.

A source who discussed Sanders' 2020 plans with Yahoo News confirmed that he will be running as a Democrat.

Sanders did not immediately respond to a request for a comment, according to the report.