As the 2016 presidential candidates continue to battle, the favorite among many Wilkes students appears to be Bernie Sanders.

A Vermont senator and Democratic nominee, Sanders is extremely popular among the 18 to 34 demographic, which makes it no surprise he is leader on the Wilkes University campus.

Of the 50 students polled 26, or 52 percent, said they would vote for Sanders, who is one of five main candidates left remaining in the presidential race.

“I would vote for Sanders because I feel like he appeals to the millennial generation and is a well rounded candidate with good policies he wants to put in place,” said Nick Sweitzer, a freshman football player.

Senior business major Joseph Lane likes Sanders’ plan to make tuition for public colleges and universities free.

“If college is free I think that it will help a lot of people who can’t afford college be able to further their education while also reducing the amount of debt people have from taking loans,” Lane said.

Republican candidate and businessman Donald Trump finished second in the poll gathering 17 votes.

“I would definitely vote for Donald Trump. Trump is real, he doesn’t try to sugarcoat anything or give B.S. responses to questions like the other candidates do,” said Jake Dimarsico, a sophomore wrestler.

While Trump has many supporters who laud him, he also has his fair share of detractors.

“I don’t really care who’s elected, I just hope that it’s anybody other than Trump,” said Havier Rodriguez, a junior football player.

Hillary Clinton also received multiple votes in the poll.

“I want Clinton because I think that this country would be better served with a woman president in office,” said Josh Farrell, a junior business major. “I think having a woman president will give our country a new perspective on some issues and Clinton has a lot of experience in Washington.”

Political Science Professor Dr. Thomas Baldino thinks Clinton has the best shot to win despite some controversy surrounding her candidacy.

“I think that Clinton is likely going to be the democratic nominee,” Baldino said. “Clinton will likely have a crafted response to any questions about about her past and the email controversy, and be able to be the nominee.”