Bernie Sanders to seek fourth term as U.S. senator from Vermont

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced on Monday that he is seeking a fourth term in the U.S. Senate.

Sanders, 82, is the longest serving independent member of Congress in the nation's history. He was elected to the U.S House of Representatives in 1991, where he served for 16 years, before joining the U.S Senate in 2007.

"I have been, and will be if re-elected, in a strong position to provide the kind of help that Vermonters need in these difficult times," Sanders said in a statement on Monday explaining his decision to run for re-election.

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Sanders currently serves as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, where he has focused on reducing prescription drug prices. He is also a member of the Veterans Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Budget Committee, where he previously served as chairman.

Sanders also launched two unsuccessful campaigns for U.S President in 2016 and 2020, vying for the Democratic nomination.

Prior to his stint in Congress, Sanders served as Burlington's 37th mayor from 1981 to 1989.

Why is Sanders running for re-election?

Should Sanders win his re-election campaign in November, the Vermont juggernaut would be pushing 90 by the end of his fourth term in 2031. Even now, he is the second oldest U.S senator after Sen. Chuck Grassley from Iowa. Why, then, hasn’t Sanders retired?

In his statement announcing his re-election bid, Sanders said the Senate still needs his expertise and experience to tackle today’s most pressing issues – including healthcare and prescription drug costs, abortion rights, student debt, climate change and affordable housing.

“I have been, and will be if re-elected, in a strong position to provide the kind of help that Vermonters need in these difficult times,” he said in his campaign announcement.

In a phone interview with the Free Press, Sanders also expressed concern over another Donald Trump presidency, arguing that the former president and current Republican candidate would fail to act on many important issues, such as climate change.

 “We’re facing more existential crises than ever before in the history of the U.S.,” Sanders told the Free Press.

Sen. Peter Welch endorses Sanders

Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., released a statement on Monday endorsing Sanders’ re-election campaign.

“Since 2006, Bernie Sanders has brought Vermont Values and independence to the Senate,” Welch said. “He has moved our country forward by pushing Congress – and the world – to focus on policies that shrink the gap between those who have the most and those who have the least among us.”

Welch also lauded Sanders on the politician’s efforts to combat climate change, improve the VA health care system, reduce prescription drug prices and secure funding for recent Vermont disasters.

“His focus, always, is on Vermont’s working families, first and foremost,” Welch said.

Additionally, Welch described Sanders as his “friend and collaborator in Congress for 18 years.” Welch joined Sanders in the U.S Senate last year and will be up for re-election in 2028.

“The Senate needs Bernie Sanders’ leadership now more than ever,” Welch said. “It’s an honor to serve the state of Vermont with him, and I proudly endorse his re-election campaign.”

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.