BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced on Monday that he will seek a fourth term in the U.S. Senate.
“Let me thank the people of Vermont from the bottom of my heart for giving me the opportunity to serve in the United States Senate. It has been the honor of my life. Today, I am announcing my intention to seek another term,” Sanders, I-Vermont, said Monday.
His nearly 20 years in the U.S. Senate, along with his previous 16 years in the U.S. House, make Sanders the longest-serving independent member of Congress in history.
The now 82-year-old sailed to victory in each Senate election, winning at least 65% of the vote in each of his three elections.
In a statement, Sanders said, in part: “As the Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; as part of the U.S. Senate Democratic Leadership team; as a senior member of the Veterans Committee, the Budget Committee, and the Environment and Public Works Committee, 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.
“In recent years, working together, we have made important progress in addressing some very serious challenges. But much, much more needs to be done if we are to become the state, and the nation, that our people deserve.”
There had been ongoing speculation over whether Sanders would seek another term.
Our Darren Perron will speak one-on-one with Sanders about his announcement tonight on the Channel 3 News at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m.