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.

Bernard Sanders is a prominent American politician, serving as the senior U.S. Senator from Vermont and the longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history. Although independent, he closely aligns with the Democratic Party, consistently caucusing with them and twice seeking their presidential nomination. Sanders is a leading figure in the modern American progressive movement, advocating for policies aimed at social and economic equality.

Sections (7)

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

1971: Stay at Myrtle Hill Farm

In 1971, while researching an article, Sanders stayed at Myrtle Hill Farm, but was asked to leave after three days for not contributing physical labor.

1972: Ran for Governor and US Senator of Vermont

In 1972, Sanders ran as the Liberty Union candidate for governor of Vermont and as a candidate in the special election for US senator.

1973: War Powers Resolution invoked

In 2018, Bernie Sanders invoked the 1973 War Powers Resolution, along with senators Chris Murphy and Mike Lee, to end US support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen.

1974: Ran for US Senator

In 1974, Sanders ran as a candidate in the general election for US senator, finishing third.

1976: Ran for Governor of Vermont

In 1976, Sanders ran as the Liberty Union candidate for governor of Vermont.

1981: Campaign Against Waterfront Development

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

June 2005: Proposed Amendment to Limit Patriot Act

In June 2005, Bernie Sanders proposed an amendment to limit Patriot Act provisions that allowed the government to obtain individuals' library and book-buying records. The amendment passed the House but was later removed.

2007: Sanders helped kill immigration reform bill

In 2007, Sanders helped kill a bill introducing comprehensive immigration reform, arguing that its guest-worker program would depress wages for American workers.

2011: Considered challenging Obama in primary

In 2011, Sanders suggested it was a good idea for someone to challenge Obama and got so close to running a primary challenge that Senator Harry Reid had to intervene.

2012: Considered running against Obama in primaries

During the 2012 Democratic presidential primaries, Sanders reportedly considered running against President Obama due to dissatisfaction with Obama's attempts to trade Social Security cuts for tax hikes.

May 2015: DNC Announces Debate Schedule

In May 2015, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) announced that there would be six debates. Critics suggested this was a deliberate attempt to protect Hillary Clinton, who was considered the front-runner.

September 2015: New York Times Coverage of Sanders Campaign Criticized

In September 2015, the New York Times' ombudsman reviewed the paper's coverage of the Sanders campaign and found that it "hasn't always taken it very seriously." The coverage was scanter than coverage of Trump's campaign at the time.

December 2015: Major Networks Report Unequal Coverage of Candidates

In December 2015, a report found that the three major networks—CBS, NBC, and ABC—had spent 234 minutes reporting on Trump and 10 minutes on Sanders, despite their similar polling results.

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February 2016: Clinton and Sanders Campaigns Agree to More Debates

In February 2016, the Clinton and Sanders campaigns agreed in principle to holding four more debates, bringing the total to ten. However, Clinton later dropped out of the tenth debate, citing the need to focus on California voters and prepare for the general election.

March 2016: Sanders' Speech Not Broadcast on Super Tuesday III

On March 2016, during Super Tuesday III, Amy Goodman noted that while speeches of Trump, Clinton, Rubio, and Cruz were broadcast, Sanders's speech in Phoenix, Arizona, was not, despite his rally being larger.

July 2016: DNC emails leaked showing favor for Clinton

In July 2016, Democratic National Committee emails leaked to the public showed that the committee leadership had favored Clinton over Sanders and had worked to help Clinton win the nomination.

2016: Suggested the Democratic Party undergo a series of reforms

After Trump's victory in the 2016 elections, Bernie Sanders suggested the Democratic Party undergo a series of reforms to become a grass-roots party of working people.

2016: Russia interfered in US elections

In 2016, Russia interfered in the US elections, which Sanders voiced concern about.

2016: Sought the Democratic Presidential Nomination

In 2016, Sanders sought the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

2016: Sanders Campaign Allegedly Prevented Russian Meddling

In 2016, the Sanders campaign claimed to have taken action to prevent Russian meddling in the election and alerted the Clinton campaign to suspicious activities, though it was a volunteer and not the campaign.

May 4, 2017: Affordable Care Act repeal prediction

On May 4, 2017, Sanders predicted that "thousands of Americans would die" due to lack of healthcare access following the House vote to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. PolitiFact rated his statement "mostly true."

September 2017: Medicare for All bill submission

In September 2017, Sanders, along with 15 Senate co-sponsors, submitted the Medicare for All bill, a single-payer healthcare plan covering vision and dental care.

2017: Criticized Trump and Trumpism

In 2017, Bernie Sanders criticized President Trump for appointing billionaires to his cabinet and rolling back Obama's Clean Power Plan, also promising to defeat "Trump and Trumpism and the Republican right-wing ideology".

2017: Criticized Republicans' use of reconciliation to pass 2017 tax cuts

In 2017, Bernie Sanders criticized Republicans' use of reconciliation to pass tax cuts.

2017: Drew parallels between his campaign and that of the Labour Party in the UK

In 2017, Bernie Sanders drew parallels between his campaign and that of the Labour Party in the 2017 UK general election, urging the Democrats to adopt a progressive manifesto.

January 2018: Online Reply to Trump's 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. He also voiced concern about Russia's interference in the 2016 election.

February 2018: Mueller Investigation Concludes Russians Aided Sanders's Campaign

In February 2018, Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation concluded that Russians had communicated false information during the primary campaigns to help Sanders and Stein and harm Clinton. Sanders rejected this conclusion.

October 2018: US support for Saudi-led intervention in Yemen

In October 2018, after the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, Senator Sanders' bill to end US support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen attracted bipartisan support in the Senate, eventually passing by a vote of 56-41.

2018: Opposition to Trump's federal budget

In 2018, Sanders opposed the United States federal budget proposed by the Trump administration, calling it "a budget for the billionaire class" and a transfer of wealth from working families to the top 1%.

February 2019: War Powers Resolution bill passes the House

In February 2019, Senator Sanders' War Powers Resolution bill, aimed at ending US support for the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen, passed the House by a vote of 247-175.

2020: Voted to Convict Trump in First Impeachment Trial

In 2020, Bernie Sanders voted to convict Trump on both articles of his first impeachment trial.

2020: Sought the Democratic Presidential Nomination

In 2020, Sanders again sought the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.

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

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

February 23, 2021: Opposed Biden's Cabinet Pick

On February 23, 2021, Bernie Sanders opposed one of Biden's cabinet picks, voting against Tom Vilsack's confirmation as Agriculture Secretary due to concerns about Vilsack's ties to large corporations.

2021: Voted to Convict Trump in Second Impeachment Trial

In 2021, Bernie Sanders voted to convict Trump on the sole article of his second impeachment trial for inciting the Capitol attack.

2022: Commented on the importance of the midterm elections

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

2024: Trump's Reelection in 2024

In 2024, Trump's reelection and subsequent actions such as enacting Project 2025, caused consternation among Democrats.

2024: Endorsed Harris for president and blamed the Democratic Party's abandonment

In 2024, after Biden withdrew from the race, Sanders endorsed Harris for president at the Democratic National Convention. After Trump won the election, Sanders released a statement blaming the Democratic Party's abandonment of "working-class people" for its defeat.

February 2025: Started "Fight Oligarchy Tour"

In late February 2025, Bernie Sanders began a "Fight Oligarchy Tour" in response to a tanking economy and alleged corruption, rallying crowds larger than his presidential campaign rallies.