Independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is running for re-election, squelching speculation that he might retire at a difficult moment for Democrats The 82-year-old liberal icon from Vermont announced Monday that he's seeking his fourth term in the U.S.

Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont announced Monday he will run for reelection this year, squelching speculation that the 82-year-old progressive icon might retire at a time when the Democratic Party is anxious about the advancing age of its top leaders.

Hailing from a Democratic stronghold, Sanders’ decision virtually guarantees that he will return to Washington for a fourth Senate term. And his announcement comes at a critical moment for Democrats as the party navigates a growing divide over Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

Sanders has criticized President Joe Biden’s handling of the U.S. relationship with Israel even as he’s hailed much of Biden’s domestic agenda ahead of what could be a tough reelection fight for Biden against presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

  • Bye@lemmy.world
    1712·
    6 months ago

    Love Bernie but it’s time to move over for someone younger.

    • Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works
      62·
      6 months ago

      Yes, his seat is safely blue if he has to quit early, but meanwhile someone younger isn’t getting the experience to lead into the future.

    • aeronmelon@lemmy.world
      43·
      6 months ago

      I would say AOC fits that description. No reason why we can’t have both at the same time. There just aren’t enough people like them.

      • foggy@lemmy.world
        10·
        6 months ago

        AOC is in New York. Bernie is in Vermont.

        The only reasonable replacement would be Howard Dean.

        Vermont is a very small state. Bernie is an OG with ties to actual radical movements. Dean, not so much.

        For a senator of Vermont, Bernie is fine. For the population, his age isn’t as problematic; we don’t have as many viable candidates.

        When it comes to something like president? Absolutely. But also, Bernie should have been president twice, and Biden, Hillary, and Trump all know it. Bernie isn’t bowing out of the game before them if he can help it, and I don’t blame him.

        • aeronmelon@lemmy.world
          3·
          6 months ago

          I was referring to the old giving way to the young, not explicitly who should fill Bernie’s seat in Vermont.

          Because the young are already here, working alongside the old. And that’s better than the alternatives. The biggest problem is that you can count people of Bernie & AOC’s caliber (people who prioritize human wellbeing above financial gain & personal power) on one hand.

        • PseudorandomNoise@lemmy.worldEnglish
          32·
          6 months ago

          I do. I blame him. How are we supposed to cultivate the next generation of progressive leadership when the previous one refuses to leave?

          And I don’t care if it’s ageist. 80 year olds have no business being in positions this important. I’m sick of seeing people being literally wheeled into the Senate chambers to cast votes before being sent back to a hospital.

          • foggy@lemmy.world
            1·
            6 months ago

            I mean if you’re not a Vermonter it doesn’t really make a difference to you. You’re not going to get a Vermonter more radically left in that seat. If you want left, Bernie is your best bet second to Dean.

            • PseudorandomNoise@lemmy.worldEnglish
              12·
              6 months ago

              He’s a Senator. This doesn’t just affect Vermont. Having yet another Senator over the age of 85 will absolutely make a difference to me! I just can’t vote on it because I live in Ohio.