BURLINGTON, Vt. 鈥� 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 鈥渋s the most consequential election in our lifetimes.鈥�
鈥淲ill the United States continue to even function as a democracy, or will we move to an authoritarian form of government?鈥� he said. He questioned whether the country will reverse what he called 鈥渢he unprecedented level of income and wealth inequality鈥� and if it can create a government that works for all, and not a political system not dominated by wealthy campaign contributors.
鈥淚 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,鈥� 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 that he would forgo and endorse Joe Biden鈥檚 reelection this year.
On a current controversial topic, Sanders, of the said Israel has the right to defend itself against the Oct. 7, 鈥渉orrific鈥� attack and hostage taking by the 鈥渂ut 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.鈥�
鈥淚n 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,鈥� he said.
Lisa Rathke, The Associated Press
