Challenges in the Life of Bernie Sanders in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Bernie Sanders faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Bernie Sanders is a prominent American politician currently serving as a U.S. Senator for Vermont since 2007. As the longest-serving independent in Congress, he closely aligns with the Democratic Party, having caucused with them throughout his career and twice campaigned for their presidential nomination. Sanders is a leading figure in the modern American progressive movement, advocating for policies such as universal healthcare, free college tuition, and a higher minimum wage. He is known for his populist rhetoric and criticism of economic inequality.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1981: Campaign against waterfront development plans

In 1981, Bernie Sanders campaigned against Burlington developer Tony Pomerleau's unpopular plans to convert the industrial waterfront into expensive condominiums, hotels, and offices. Running under the slogan "Burlington is not for sale," he successfully supported a plan that redeveloped the waterfront area into a mixed-use district with housing, parks, and public spaces.

1988: Runs for U.S. House seat, places second

In 1988, Bernie Sanders ran for the U.S. House seat representing Vermont's at-large congressional district as an independent and placed second with 38% of the vote.

1990: Benefitted from NRA opposition to Peter Smith

In 1990, Bernie Sanders' bid to become a US Representative benefitted from the National Rifle Association of America opposing the campaign of Peter Smith due to Smith's reversed stance on firearm restrictions and waiting periods for handgun purchases.

1994: Wins reelection by 3%

During the 1994 Republican Revolution, Bernie Sanders won reelection to the House of Representatives by 3%, securing 50% of the vote.

2011: Consideration of Primary Challenge

In 2011, Sanders suggested it was "a good idea" for someone to challenge Obama in the primaries.

2012: Consideration of Primary Challenge

During the 2012 Democratic presidential primaries, Sanders reportedly considered running against President Obama in the primaries.

May 2015: DNC announces debate schedule

In May 2015, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced a schedule of six debates, which drew criticism for its limited number of debates and timing, with some alleging it was designed to protect Hillary Clinton.

September 2015: NYT coverage of Sanders campaign criticized

In September 2015, The New York Times's ombudsman reviewed the paper's coverage of the Sanders campaign and found it "hasn't always taken it very seriously", noting a dismissive tone and less coverage compared to Trump's campaign.

December 2015: Report finds major networks favored Trump coverage

A December 2015 report revealed that major networks like CBS, NBC, and ABC devoted significantly more airtime to covering Trump than Sanders, despite their comparable polling results.

March 2016: Sanders speech not broadcast during Super Tuesday III

On March 15, 2016, during Super Tuesday III, major news outlets broadcast the speeches of Trump, Clinton, Rubio, and Cruz, but omitted Sanders's rally speech in Phoenix, despite it being larger than the others. Meanwhile, other media promoted the narrative that the contest between Sanders and Clinton was "heating up".

July 2016: DNC Emails Leaked

In July 2016 some of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails leaked to the public showed that the committee leadership had favored Clinton over him and had worked to help Clinton win the nomination.

July 2016: DNC emails leak, revealing favoritism towards Clinton

In July 2016, a leak of Democratic National Committee's emails showed DNC officials favoring Clinton over Sanders, with discussions about using Sanders's irreligious views as a campaign issue.

2016: Suggested reforms for the Democratic Party after Trump's victory

After Trump's victory in the 2016 elections, Bernie Sanders suggested the Democratic Party undergo a series of reforms and that it "break loose from its corporate establishment ties and, once again, become a grass-roots party of working people, the elderly and the poor."

2016: Expressed concern over Russian interference in US elections

In January 2018, Bernie Sanders voiced concern about Trump's failure to mention the finding that Russia had interfered in the 2016 election.

2017: Promised to defeat "Trump and Trumpism"

In 2017, Bernie Sanders promised to defeat "Trump and Trumpism and the Republican right-wing ideology".

January 2018: Criticized Trump in response to State of the Union Address

In January 2018, Bernie Sanders gave an online reply to Trump's State of the Union address, calling Trump "compulsively dishonest" and criticizing him for initiating "a looming immigration crisis" by ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

February 2018: Mueller investigation concludes Russians aided Sanders

In February 2018, Robert Mueller's investigation found that Russians spread false information to help Sanders and Stein in the 2016 elections, a conclusion Sanders rejected. Sanders questioned the Clinton campaign's inaction on Russian interference.

January 6, 2021: Commented on the attack on the United States Capitol

On January 6, 2021, after Trump supporters attacked the United States Capitol, Bernie Sanders commented that Trump would "go down in history as the worst and most dangerous president in history."

2022: Called the midterm election consequential

Before the 2022 midterm election, Bernie Sanders said he regarded it as deciding the fate of democracy, abortion, and climate change, calling it "the most consequential midterm election" of modern US history.

November 2024: Joint Resolution of Disapproval Gains Support

In November 2024, Sanders introduced a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to block arms to Israel which garnered support from 18 senators.

2024: Released statement blaming the Democratic Party after Trump's reelection

After Trump's reelection in 2024, Bernie Sanders released a statement blaming the Democratic Party's abandonment of "working-class people" for its defeat.

February 2025: Began the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" with Ocasio-Cortez

In February 2025, Bernie Sanders began the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour", in which he and Ocasio-Cortez held rallies criticizing Trump's policies and economic inequality.

April 2025: Criticized the Trump administration

In April 2025, Bernie Sanders criticized the administration, saying that it's moving “rapidly toward oligarchy”, he also called US a "pseudo-democracy".