Eighty-two-year-old liberal U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont announced Monday that he is running for re-election, saying American democracy is in question during difficult times for the country and the world. Sanders, seeking a fourth Senate term, is an independent. He was a Democratic congressman for 16 years and still caucuses with the Democrats.
Quick Read
- Reelection Campaign: 82-year-old U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont announced he is running for a fourth term in the Senate.
- Political Alignment: Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, has been a significant figure in American politics, previously serving as a Democratic congressman for 16 years.
- Campaign Themes: In his announcement, Sanders highlighted the critical nature of the 2024 election, questioning the future of American democracy and issues such as income and wealth inequality.
- Leadership Roles: Sanders cited his influential positions, including chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and his role in the Senate Democratic leadership team.
- Past Presidential Runs: Sanders referenced his previous campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020 and mentioned his support for Joe Biden’s reelection this year.
- Views on Gaza Conflict: Sanders expressed criticism of the ongoing war in Gaza, emphasizing Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks but opposing the extent of the military response against the Palestinian population. He voiced opposition to U.S. financial support for what he termed the “extremist Netanyahu government” in its current military actions.
The Associated Press has the story:
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont is running for reelection to a 4th term
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP)
Eighty-two-year-old liberal U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont announced Monday that he is running for re-election, saying American democracy is in question during difficult times for the country and the world. Sanders, seeking a fourth Senate term, is an independent. He was a Democratic congressman for 16 years and still caucuses with the Democrats.
In an announcement video, he said that in many ways the 2024 election “is the most consequential election in our lifetimes.”
“Will the United States continue to even function as a democracy, or will we move to an authoritarian form of government?” he said. He questioned whether the country will reverse what he called “the unprecedented level of income and wealth inequality” and if it can create a government that works for all, and not a political system not dominated by wealthy campaign contributors.
“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 review of his positions as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and a member of the Senate Democratic leadership team, as well as a senior member of various other committees.
Sanders sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020. He said a year ago that he would forgo another presidential bid and endorse Joe Biden’s reelection this year.
On a current controversial topic, Sanders, who has been critical of the war in Gaza, said Israel has the right to defend itself against the Oct. 7, “horrific” attack and hostage taking by the terrorist organization Hamas “but it did not and does not have the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people, which is exactly what it is doing.”
“In my view, U.S. taxpayers should not be providing billions more to the extremist Netanyahu government to continue its devastating war against the Palestinian people,” he said.
