Sen. Bernie Sanders, 82, said Monday he plans to seek re-election this fall.
The Vermont independent announced his decision in a nearly nine-minute video showing some of the work he did during his three terms in the U.S. Senate.
With retirement off the table, the progressive movement retains its highest voice in the upper chamber.
“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,” Sanders said in a post on X. “Today I announce my intention to seek another term.”
Sanders noted that he came to this decision because “these are very difficult times for our country and the world.”
Sen. Bernie Sanders, 82, announced Monday he would run for re-election in the fall, calling it “the most consequential election of our lifetimes”
The Vermont independent, who is aligned with the Democratic Party, made the announcement in a nearly nine-minute video on X
“And in many ways, this 2024 election is the most consequential election of our lifetimes,” the Vermont independent continued.
Sanders’ announcement won’t change Democrats’ Senate prospects.
Vermont is a blue state and the seat would go to another Democrat — or in Sanders’ case — an independent who caucuses with Democrats.
But in making the announcement, Sanders reaffirms that he will not challenge President Joe Biden — the presumptive Democratic nominee — in any way.
Sanders competed in the Democratic presidential primaries during the 2016 and 2020 elections, finishing in second place both times.
But challenging Biden in 2024 was not on the table — as the two have had a solid working relationship since Biden was sworn in in 2021.
They last appeared together at an Earth Day event in Virginia, along with fellow progressive lawmakers, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey.
Senator Bernie Sanders (right) is seen with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (left) during his second presidential campaign in October 2019. Sanders came behind President Joe Biden during the 2020 Democratic primaries
In his message to voters Monday, Sanders warned of the danger that former President Donald Trump’s reelection could pose, although he did not mention Trump by name.
“Will the United States even continue to function as a democracy?” Sanders mused. “Or will we switch to an authoritarian form of government.”
He then focused on the same themes he used during his two presidential campaigns.
“Will we reverse the unprecedented levels of income and wealth inequality that now exist? Or will we continue to see billionaires get richer while working families struggle to put food on the table?” he said.
“Can we create a government that works for all of us? Or will our political system continue to be dominated by wealthy campaign operatives?” Sanders asked.
‘These are just some of the questions we must answer together. And that I look forward to discussing with you on the campaign trail,” the Vermont senator added.
Sanders will be 89 when he completes a fourth term.