Bernie Sanders has revealed his next senate term is likely his last, but is confident he will go the distance for the full six years.
The progressive Vermont senator and former Hillary Clinton rival has served in Congress for 32 years, making him the longest-serving independent in U.S. history.
Known for aggressively pushing socialist-styled policies like the Green New Deal, housing and healthcare as a human right, free college and canceling student debt, Sanders has long been on the cutting-edge of progressivism in the U.S.
To many he is seen as the foremost progressive leader in the country.
In November Sanders won re-election for another six-year term.
When asked this week whether his next term will be his last, Sanders admitted that is still up in the air, especially given his age.
‘I’m 83 now. I’ll be 89 when I get out of here. You can do the figuring. I don’t know, but I would assume, probably, yes,’ he told Politico.
U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., November 19, 2024
This week Sanders said that his next term will likely be his last
The Vermont independent has served on Capitol Hill since 1991
Sanders has worked in politics for nearly his entire career.
In 1981, Sanders first dove into politics by winning his bid to become the mayor of its most populous city, Burlington.
During this time Sanders even tested his musical abilities, recording a folk album called ‘We Shall Overcome’ in 1987.
He later jokingly admitted that ‘it really is an important CD because it is the worst album in the history of music.’
After getting re-elected three times as mayor, the independent mayor then successfully ran for the state’s at-large seat in the House of Representatives, where he served from 1991 – 2007.
Following that stint, Sanders ran to become a senator, where he has served ever since.
Despite his unique political positioning, when he attempted to run for president in 2016 and 2020, he finished as runner-up in both contests, loosing the nomination to Hillary Clinton and then Joe Biden.
Since Vice President Kamala Harris’ loss to President-elect Donald Trump a month ago, Sanders has been one of the most critical liberal lawmakers to critique his own caucus.
Sanders faced a crowded primary with many fellow lawmakers, like Sen. Elizabeth Warren, shown above next to Sanders
Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden (C) speaks as former Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) (L) and former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg listen during the Democratic presidential primary debate at Paris Las Vegas on February 19, 2020 in Las Vegas
‘The average American is hurting,’ he said Tuesday.
‘You’ve got to recognize the reality of what’s going on. And I’m not sure that enough Democrats are doing that.’
Though he does take pride in the fact that his Progressive Caucus, which he helped pioneer the year he was elected to the House, has grown exponentially since he first arrived in Washington.
‘Dozens of them are really strong progressives who share my perspectives,’ Sanders said.
The caucus now boasts over 100 members.
