We asked Sanders fans if they regret getting their Bernie tattoos

Bernie Sanders has led an extremely impressive campaign. Back in April of 2015, when Bernie first informally announced his intent to run for President, almost no one expected him to make it this far. The length of his campaign can easily be attributed to Bernie’s ability to ignite a spark in the large group of Americans who had lost faith in the political system.

Bernie supporters are known for being a passionate bunch – a necessary trait in order to carry his grassroots campaign as far as they did.

We spoke to some of his most passionate supporters – as in I got a tattoo of Bernie Sanders’ face passionate – to see what it was that inspired them to be permanently inked with the candidate’s image and, now that Clinton is the presumptive nominee, if they have any regrets.

Nicole, 20, New York

I got my Bernie tattoo back in February after seeing an article on Facebook about how some tattoo shops were offering them for free or a discounted price. I was so inspired by the idea, I’ve been a Bernie supporter since the beginning. I believe he has some great ideas for this country, particularly his views on education. As someone who currently can’t afford to be in school, his proposed plans for lowering the costs of going to college are important to me. I have many other tattoos so I know that I’ll never regret the tattoo even if Bernie doesn’t win. Plus it’s a great conversation starter, people are always asking “is that Bernie Sanders on your ankle?” And I’m always happy to say “yep!”

Amber, 30, Wisconsin

I got my tattoo on February 28. I consider Bernie Sanders not only a political figure, but an inspiration and hope for my generation. Sanders has really, genuinely spoken to us, has really drawn many of us farther down the political rabbit hole. It’s not necessarily about winning right now, it’s about opening eyes and minds, and showing people what’s really there and how things really work, especially financially as far as the government and our officials are concerned. That’s why I got my tattoo. I want to remember that America can change for the better.

Macy, 34, Louisiana 

I got the tattoo because Bernie has inspired me and given me hope that not all politicians are the same. He has shown me that you can stay true to your beliefs and make waves in this corrupt system that we have. While I’ve voted in the past, I was never as excited as when I voted for him in the primaries. I absolutely DO NOT regret getting my tattoo. Bernie has changed me, whether he is president or not. I have gotten some questions on the tattoo from others, but in all honesty, most comments have been positive.

Amber, 24, South Carolina

Brandon (my fiancé) and I had been talking about getting matching tattoos for a few years, but I’m not sure that this was ever quite what we had in mind. Neither of us had ever really cared for politics at all – we were both of the opinion that most of America is corrupt, our government system especially, bought by and mostly under the control of the highest bidders…Senator Bernie Sanders changed that for the both of us.

Neither Brandon nor I regret our tattoos in the slightest. Even if Bernie Sanders doesn’t become the next president of the United States of America, we still support him 110 percent. I admire his ethic and tenacity, and I am inspired by how genuine he is in caring about the future of America, and of the planet itself. I have always been an environmentalist, but Bernie Sanders is the first person to ever spark a sense of nationalism in me.

Joshua, 24, Florida

Bernie has focused a message worth repeating and fighting for. He gives me more hope for change than any politician I’ve seen before him, and this small bit of skin serves as a reminder to be a good person and fight for the good of us all, not just the few…. I love [my tattoo]. It’s a reminder every day that if that old man has that much fight in him, then I’ve got no excuse. I once held my fingers up to my forehead temples after a particularly trying day and saw this tiny little Bernie Sanders on my wrist staring back… I immediately got up and took care of my business without a second thought. I’ve got zero regrets.

Fox, 37, Vermont

I have two Bernie tattoos. First, I got the famous Bernie outline on the back of my neck for free, but made a donation. I found out that Rick Meyer from We The People Tattoo Parlor was offering one free portrait tattoo of Senator Sanders. I contacted him and luckily was chosen to receive it (also gave a donation). My degree is in political science and I was heading to law school and then into politics until I became ill…so I was obviously thrilled. The portrait would have cost hundreds of dollars, yet he did it for free.

I don’t consider Hillary Clinton to be the nominee, not yet…maybe never. I will write in Bernie Sanders come election day and people all over the country will be doing the same. Will I regret the Sanders tattoos if he doesn’t become our next president? Never! It was never about having permanent ink of the “winning team”, it was about being inspired by a man that has already changed the world.

Kendall, 26, Texas

My friends and I have been volunteering for the Sanders campaign in Texas for about a year, when we got our tattoos, right after Texas voted on Super Tuesday. All of my tattoos, six in total, are depictions of an instrumental chapter in my personal story… my Bernie tattoo is a tribute to how much Bernie’s lifelong message, this campaign and the people I’ve worked with during it have affected my life so positively. Our tattoos were actually done by another Sanders volunteer in Austin who’s become a great friend! Rianne and Sean Phillips run a great shop called The Golden Goat Tattoo.

Definitely zero regrets. I don’t get tattoos for anyone but myself. It’s my body and I chose to use tattoos like some use scrapbooks, I just get to carry my memories with me at all times. It was never about Bernie becoming the nominee, it’s always about the underlying purpose I try to live by, “Not me, Us.”

Caroline, 29, Oregon

I have several tattoos, and I am always getting more. However, another artist in house had heard me geeking out over their adorable Bernie tattoos, and she asked me if I’d like to come back for one. I had to think for a minute. Then, I decided it was fate.

Oh, and the bird? I’m sure you saw the viral video of the bird on Bernie’s podium. That happened here in Portland. And it was my birthday. No regrets on the tattoo. I only regret that I might not have done enough to help my main man. I’ll be writing in his name, no matter what.

Isaiah, 30, Pennsylvania 

I like to get tattoos to commemorate things and I never want to forget the movement Bernie has started. Having a tattoo dedicated to Bernie Sanders means that I am permanently reminded that I am not struggling by myself. “Not me, us.” No negative reactions thus far. (Except from my brother the Clinton supporter). I have found that it has never been about the election or win or lose, but about the movement itself.  Vote for what makes sense; Bernie or bust.