Clinton and Sanders during Michigan debate
Clinton and Sanders during Michigan debatePhoto: Reuters

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said he is “very proud to be Jewish” during Sunday night’s Democratic presidential debate in Flint, Michigan.

When the Independent senator from Vermont was asked about reports that Jews were disappointed that supposedly downplayed his Jewish roots during his campaign, he boldly responded, “I am very proud to be Jewish, and being Jewish is so much of what I am."

“Look, my father’s family was wiped out by Hitler in the Holocaust. I know about what crazy and radical and extremist politics mean. I am very proud of being Jewish and that is an essential part of who I am as a human being," said Sanders.

Sanders defeated Clinton in the Maine Democratic caucuses on Sunday. However, front runner Hillary Clinton still has more delegates - 1,130 compared to Sanders’ 499.

It takes 2,383 delegates to win the nomination.