Cries of "Bernie, Bernie" greeted presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at a rally in Bartle Hall on Wednesday.
WATCH: See portions of the rally in the video player above
Sanders is the first major presidential candidate to visit metro Kansas City in 2016. Chelsea Clinton stumped for her mother, Hillary Clinton, in the region on Feb. 17.
On the eve of the Sanders visit, Clinton announced the opening of a campaign office in Lawrence, Kan.
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In about 45 minutes, the Democratic presidential hopeful hit on his major themes: plans to make college and universities tuition-free; climate change and ensuring universal health care for all.
So far: shout outs to veterans, seniors, young people, working parents and one audience member who shouted "I love you!"
— Sarah Walsh (@sarahbellewalsh) February 24, 2016
He also took a swipe at "the one percent," as part of his criticism of wealth and income inequality and poked at Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback.
.@SenSanders: "I know that in Kansas, you've got a governor who likes to beat up on the poor." Gauntlet thrown.
— Sarah Walsh (@sarahbellewalsh) February 24, 2016
The crowd at a packed Bartle Hall provided an enthusiastic and receptive audience for his campaign themes.
.@SenSanders: "Why should we be punished because we wanted to get an education?" Just got the biggest cheer of the day.
— Sarah Walsh (@sarahbellewalsh) February 24, 2016
Similar to Sanders events in other areas, young people appeared to make up a sizeable percentage of the crowd.
Celeste Shepherd is here today with her daughters. She says she's most concerned about their future education. pic.twitter.com/YKPsXNV6Do
— Sarah Walsh (@sarahbellewalsh) February 24, 2016
More American Democrats ages 18-29 prefer Sanders to Clinton for the White House in 2016, according to a Harvard University Institute of Politics survey.
Park Hill students: Bernie is a candidate who cares for young people, especially current & future college students. pic.twitter.com/d5Ia6qS1JW
— Sarah Walsh (@sarahbellewalsh) February 24, 2016
Sanders and his message may also resonate with older voters--those who like what he has to say about social security, veterans, and other issues affecting an aging population.
Marlin Ragain, a retired teamster, says Bernie is the only candidate looking out for pensioners like him. pic.twitter.com/veH4thEdik
— Sarah Walsh (@sarahbellewalsh) February 24, 2016
