US Presidential Elections 2024: Independent Bernie Sanders wins reelection to US Senate from Vermont

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders, the independent candidate from Vermont secured a fourth term in the US Senate after defeating opponents Republican Gerald Malloy, a US Army veteran and businessman, independent candidate Steve Berry, as well as minor party candidates Mark Stewart Greenstein, Matt Hill and Justin Schoville.

The 83-year-old senator is a self-described democratic socialist who caucuses with the Democrats and twice came close to winning the presidential nomination. More recently, he has worked closely with the Biden administration to craft its domestic policy goals on health care, education, child care and workers' rights.

The longest-serving independent in Congress is being challenged by Republican Gerald Malloy, a US Army veteran and businessman. Also on the ballot are independent Steve Berry, as well as minor party candidates Mark Stewart Greenstein, Matt Hill and Justin Schoville.

Sanders said he's running again because the country faces some of its toughest and most serious challenges of the modern era. He described those as threats to its democratic foundations, massive levels of income and wealth inequality, climate change, and challenges to women's ability to control their own bodies.

“I just did not feel with my seniority and with my experience that I could walk away from Vermont, representing Vermont, at this difficult moment in American history,” he said at a recent WCAX-TV debate.