Bernard Sanders is an American politician and activist serving as the senior United States senator from Vermont, a seat he has held since 2007. He is the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history, but maintains a close relationship with the Democratic Party, having caucused with House and Senate Democrats for most of his congressional career and sought the party's presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020. A self-described democratic socialist, Sanders is regarded as one of the main leaders of the 21st-century American progressive movement.

100 votes
13 days until Election Day
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 — every House seat and about a third of the Senate are on the ballot.
Born
1941-09-08, Brooklyn
Education
University of Chicago, James Madison High School, Brooklyn College
Prior Occupations
politician, journalist, carpenter, university teacher, writer, television producer
Positions Held
Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, United States representative, United States senator
Country
United States
Chamber
Senate
Party
Independent
State
Vermont
Status
Current member
In office since
1991
What this person's job actually involves