Bernie Sanders's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Bernie Sanders.

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

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.

1981: Elected Mayor of Burlington, Vermont

In 1981, Bernie Sanders ran as an independent and was elected mayor of Burlington, Vermont, defeating the Democratic incumbent.

1990: Elected to U.S. House of Representatives

In 1990, Sanders was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Vermont's at-large congressional district.

1991: Elected to US House of Representatives

In 1991, Bernie Sanders was elected to the US House of Representatives, after winning the election by a margin of 56% to 39%.

2005: Called Amendment King

In 2005, Rolling Stone called Bernie Sanders the "amendment king" for his ability to get more roll call amendments passed than any other congressman since 1995.

December 2009: Sanders adds provision to Affordable Care Act

In mid-December 2009, Sanders successfully added a provision to the Affordable Care Act to fund $11 billion to community health centers, especially those in rural areas.

August 2011: High approval rating as US senator

In August 2011, polling found that Sanders's approval rating was 67% and his disapproval rating 28%, making him then the third-most popular US senator.

June 9, 2014: Sponsorship of Veterans' Access to Care Act

On June 9, 2014, Sanders sponsored the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 to reform the Department of Veterans Affairs.

July 31, 2014: Veterans' Access to Care Act passes both chambers

On July 31, 2014, Sanders' bill, incorporated into the House version of the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, passed both chambers of Congress.

August 7, 2014: Veterans' Access to Care Act signed into law

On August 7, 2014, the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, which included Sanders' bill, was signed into law by President Obama.

2014: Ranked third of The Forward 50

In 2014, Sanders ranked third of The Forward 50.

June 2015: Campaign events draw overflow crowds

In June 2015, Sanders's campaign events drew overflow crowds across the country, surpassing Hillary Clinton's crowd sizes in Iowa despite Clinton's visit being her first in the state that year.

July 1, 2015: Campaign stop in Madison

On July 1, 2015, Sanders' campaign stop in Madison, Wisconsin, drew the largest crowd of any 2016 presidential candidate to that date, with an estimated turnout of 10,000.

July 29, 2015: Online meetup with supporters

On July 29, 2015, a meetup organized online brought 100,000 Sanders' supporters to more than 3,500 simultaneous events nationwide.

November 2015: Most popular US senator

In a November 2015 Morning Consult poll, Sanders reached an 83% approval rating among his constituents, making him the most popular US senator.

December 4, 2015: Won Time's Person of the Year readers' poll

On December 4, 2015, Bernie Sanders won Time's 2015 Person of the Year readers' poll with 10.2% of the vote.

January 2016: Presidential campaign fundraising

By the end of January 2016, Sanders' presidential campaign had reached 3.25 million donations, raising $20 million in that month alone.

March 20, 2016: Given honorary Lushootseed name

On March 20, 2016, Bernie Sanders was given an honorary Lushootseed name, dxʷshudičup, by Deborah Parker in Seattle.

2016: Presidential campaign events

During his presidential campaign in 2016, Sanders drew large crowds to his campaign events.

2016: Ranked first of The Forward 50

In 2016, Sanders ranked first of The Forward 50.

March 2017: Highest net favorability among politicians

In March 2017, Fox News found Sanders to have the highest net favorability at +28 points of any prominent politician included in its poll.

April 2017: Highest favorability rating among political figures

In April 2017, a nationwide Harvard-Harris Poll found that Sanders had the highest favorability rating among all the political figures included in the poll.

May 30, 2017: Received honorary degree from Brooklyn College

On May 30, 2017, Bernie Sanders received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Brooklyn College.

2018: Reelected in the United States Senate election in Vermont

In 2018, Bernie Sanders won reelection in the United States Senate election in Vermont, continuing his strategy of running as an independent.

June 2019: Sanders Campaign Raises Most Money in Democratic Field

As of June 2019, the Sanders campaign had raised the most money in the 2020 Democratic field, including money left over from his 2018 Senate and 2016 presidential races.

September 2019: Sanders Campaign Reaches One Million Donors

In September 2019, the Sanders campaign became the fastest in US history to reach one million donors.

October 1, 2019: Sanders Campaign Raises $25.3 Million in Third Quarter

On October 1, 2019, the Sanders campaign announced it had raised $25.3 million in the year's third quarter, with an average donation of $18, making it the largest quarterly sum raised by any Democratic candidate.

December 2019: Released letters from physicians

In December 2019, three months after his heart attack, Bernie Sanders released letters from physicians declaring him healthy and recovered from his heart condition.

February 2020: Sanders Leads in Democratic Primary Polling

From mid-February 2020 to the start of March, Sanders polled in first place in the Democratic primary ahead of Joe Biden and was described by the press as the party's presidential front-runner.