Senator Bernie Sanders, 82 years old, announced on Monday his intention to seek another term in office. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Sanders expressed gratitude to the people of Vermont for the opportunity to serve in the United States Senate, calling it the honor of his life. He highlighted key priorities for his campaign, including advocating for national codification of Roe v. Wade, tuition-free public colleges and universities, and opposing funding for Israel in its conflict with Hamas.
If reelected, Sanders, who will turn 83 before the November election, would serve until January 2031 at the age of 89. The filing period for the upcoming primaries in Vermont opened in late April and ends on May 30. In the 2018 election, Sanders easily secured the Democratic nomination with 94% of the vote and emerged victorious in the general election against his Republican opponent.
Republican combat veteran Gerald Malloy, who previously ran for Senate in 2022, is also participating in the current election cycle. Sanders, a prominent progressive figure nationally, first won his Senate seat in 2006 and has since gained recognition for his strong bids for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020, finishing as the runner-up in both races.
