| Bernie Sanders | |
| |
| 57th Governor of New York | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
| Lt. Governor | Jumaane Williams |
| Preceded by | Andrew Cuomo |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 21st district | |
| In office January 3, 2013 - January 1, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Bill Owens |
| Succeeded by | Elise Stefanik |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 23rd district | |
| In office January 3, 1993 - January 3, 2001 January 3, 2003 - January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | David O'Brien Martin (1993) Sherwood Boehlert (2003) |
| Succeeded by | Sherwood Boehlert (2001) Tom Reed (2013) |
| Mayor of Plattsburgh, New York | |
| In office 1983 – 1993 | |
| Preceded by | John L. Ianelli |
| Succeeded by | Clyde Rabideau |
| Biography | |
| Born | September 8, 1941 (age 83) Brooklyn, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Independent (1979-2015, 2016-2017, 2018-Present) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic Party (2015-2016, 2017-2018) Working Families Party (Intermittently 2000-Present) |
| Spouse | Jane Sanders |
| Alma mater | Brooklyn College University of Chicago (BA) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Religion | Judaism |
Bernard "Bernie" Sanders (born September 8, 1941) is an American politician, currently serving as the 57th Governor of New York. He previously served as a United States Representative from 1993-2001 and again from 2003 until his inauguration. Although he is currently unregistered with any political party, previously caucused with the Democratic Party in Congress, and has been an off-and-on again member of the Working Families Party since 2000, on whose ticket he ran and won the governorship.
Sanders has described himself as a "socialist" or "democratic socialist", although most scholars and commentators describe him as in line with American progressivism and social democracy.
In May 2015, Sanders launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. He ultimately finished second to former Secretary of State and former Senator from Virginia Hillary Clinton, earning nearly 8.9 million votes cast.
Sanders sought the Democratic nomination for Governor of New York in the 2018 gubernatorial election against incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo. In his primary election night speech, Sanders, Cuomo's sole opponent for the nomination, did not concede the race or rule out the possibility of continuing his campaign as an independent or third-party candidate. The following morning, Sanders launched his general election campaign on the Working Families Party ticket, whose endorsement he had received in April.
Sanders won the gubernatorial election with 1,203,972 votes, or 29.3% of the ballots cast, narrowly beating Republican businessman Donald Trump Jr. by a margin of 8,218 votes, the slimmest margin since 1854. At the age of 77 years, 3 months, and 24 days, Sanders also became the oldest individual elected Governor of New York.
In May 2019, Governor Sanders announced he would run for a second term. His re-election campaign was formally launched on August 23rd, 2021.
Mayor of Plattsburgh[]
Sanders was first elected to the mayoralty of Plattsburgh, New York, in 1983, defeating incumbent Mayor John L. Ianelli in a three-way contest.
As Mayor, Sanders prioritized funding community-trust housing, making Plattsburgh one of the first cities in the country to adopt the policy.
Sanders also prioritized redevelopment of Plattsburgh's Lake Champlain waterfront, including a construction of a mixed-use district featuring housing, a public beach, and bike paths. The city also partnered with the State University of New York to construct the Center for Hydrological Studies - later renamed the Lake Champlain Research Institute - in 1987.
During his administration, Sanders had a strained relationship with the Town of Plattsburgh, especially with Supervisor Art LeFevre. Following a dispute over local water pricing, Sanders led a successful referendum on a merger of the town and city, consolidating the two Plattsburghs; the resulting municipality nearly doubled in population, to over 30,000 by the time he left office in 1993. Sanders would face LeFevre directly in the 1988 mayoral election, narrowly winning by a margin of 324 votes out of over 12,000 cast.
U.S. House of Representatives[]
Sanders was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1992, becoming the first independent to serve in Congress since Frazier Reams, of Ohio, in 1950. Sanders served in the House from 1993 until he ran for the United States Senate in 2000, then again from 2003 through the present.
Tenure: 1993-2001[]
During his first term in the House, Sanders often alienated allies and colleagues alike by barraging political parties as tools for the wealthy and special interests. In 1995, he began developing working relationships with the Democratic Caucus in the House, co-founding the Progressive Caucus that same year. Although he refused to join the party, he caucused with the Democrats for purposes of committee assignments.
Crime and Gun Control[]
In 1993, Sanders voted against the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which mandated background checks at the federal level for firearm purchases, as well as a five-day waiting period. His Chief of Staff st the time, Anthony Pollina, stated:
"[Sanders'] response is that he doesn't just represent liberals and progressives. He was sent to represent all of the 21st District. It's not inappropriate for a congressman to support a majority position, particularly on something that residents of the district have been very clear about."
In 1994, Sanders voted in favor of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act.
In 2005, he voted for the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which aimed to prevent firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable for negligence when crimes have been committed with their products.
Hydrological Issues[]
On March 6th, 1998, President Bill Clinton signed a bill reauthorizing the National Sea Grant Program; an amendment added by Sanders in the House version of the bill contained a line declaring Lake Champlain to be a Great Lake, qualifying New York and Vermont for additional federal research and education funds allocated to these national resources. Although the status was officially revoked later that month, the additional funds to monitor and study the lake remained intact.
Tenure: 2003-Present[]
In 2003, Sanders voted for the a reauthorization of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists, which provided legal justification for the antiterrorism policies of President George W. Bush following the terrorist attacks of September 11th, 2001. Sanders also voted in favor of a resolution supporting though he criticized the Bush administration on the House floor.
Following the revelation of CIA agent Valerie Plame's identity by Richard Armitage, a State Department official, to conservative journalist Roert Novak, Sanders stated:
"The revelation that the President authorized the release of classified information in order to discredit an Iraq war critic should tell every member of Congress that the time is now for a serious investigation of how we got into the war in Iraq and why Congress can no longer act as a rubber stamp for the President."
Healthcare[]
In his time in Congress, Sanders advocated for a single-payer system. In a speech in favor of his Medicare for All proposal, he has said:
"Health care must be recognized as a right, not a privilege. Every man, woman and child in our country should be able to access the health care they need regardless of their income. The only long-term solution to America's health care crisis is a single-payer national health care program."
Sanders has stated his opposition to the Healthcare Modernization Act of 2017, which he described as "inadequate" in providing for the neediest individuals in the healthcare system.
Higher Education[]
Sanders has also advocated for higher education to be debt-free and tuition-free. Under his proposed College for All Act, a tax would be placed on Wall Street speculators, and the requirement that students re-apply for financial aid each year would be eliminated. The proposed funding would be supplied on a two-to-one federal to state ratio.
Sanders has expressed support for the COLLEGE Act, introduced by Representative Chelsea Clinton (D-AR), calling it "an important first step in achieving universal education."
Veterans Health Administration Scandal[]
CNN reported on April 30th, 2014, that at least 40 United States Armed Forces veterans died while waiting for care at the Phoenix, Arizona, Veterans Health Administration facilities. An investigation by the VA Inspector General identified another 35 veterans who died while waiting for medical care. From 2011 until his election as Governor, Sanders served as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs.
The House ultimately held over 47 hearings on the scandal, in conjunction with 37 hearings held by the Senate committee. Sanders was criticized for his lines of questioning during the hearings, with MSNBC host and former Florida Congressman Joe Scarborough likening him to a lawyer representing the VA, rather than one of the officials responsible for overseeing the agency.
President Obama signs the Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014.
Along with Jeff Miller (R-FL), Sanders co-wrote and co-sponsored the Veteran Access to Care Act of 2014, which allowed veterans to receive their healthcare from non-VA facilities under certain conditions. Along with Hal Rogers (R-KY), Sanders co-wrote and co-sponsored the Veterans' Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014 (Veterans Choice Act), expanding the number of options veterans have for receiving care and grant the United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs more power to fire senior executives.
Matthew Miller, chief policy officer of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, stated:
"We feel that [Sanders] did not live up to his responsibilities as Ranking Member to provide oversight into this. He keeps hiding behind the mantle [of the title]. And yes, he did pass the 15 billion USD piece of legislation, but that's akin to closing the barn door after the chickens have escaped."
2000 U.S. Senate Campaign[]
Main Article: United States Senate Election in New York, 2000 (The More Things Changed)
The United States Senate election in New York in 2000 was held on November 7th of that year. Republican nominee Rudy Giuliani, Mayor of New York City, won the election, defeating the independent Sanders and Democratic Congresswoman Nita Lowey.
Sanders received 1.8 million votes and came in second place, losing to Giuliani, but edging out Lowey. Since Giuliani received only 45% of the vote, many commentators speculated that either Lowey or Sanders could have won the seat had the other not contested the election.
2016 Presidential Campaign[]
Main Article: Bernie Sanders Presidential Campaign, 2016 (The More Things Changed)
The 2016 presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination began with a formal announcement by Sanders on May 26th, 2015, in Plattsburgh, New York, which followed an informal announcement on April 30th. At the time of his announcement, he had been an official member of the Democratic Party for only a week.
Sanders formally announces his candidacy in Plattsburgh, NY.
Unlike most other major presidential candidates, Sanders eschewed an unlimited super PAC, instead choosing to receive most of his funding from direct individual campaign donations. Nevertheless, his candidacy was financially supported by groups such as National Nurses United for Patient Protection and the American Federation of Teachers, the latter of which was led by fellow New Yorker Randi Weingarten, who would later go on to serve as United States Secretary of Education.
When he formally ended his campaign on June 9th, 2016, Sanders had won nearly 8.9 million votes, coming in second to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, but finishing ahead of former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee, and former Arkansas Governor Mike Bebee.
Governorship[]
Main Article: Governorship of Bernie Sanders (The More Things Changed)
2018 Gubernatorial Campaign[]
Main Article: New York Gubernatorial Election, 2018 (The More Things Changed)
On March 18th, 2018, Sanders announced his campaign for Governor of New York. He was selected as the gubernatorial nominee for the Working Families Party, with New York City Council Member Jumaane Williams as the party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor.
Following his close loss to incumbent Governor Cuomo in the Democratic nomination, Sanders launched his general election candidacy on the Working Families ticket, successfully winning the general election with 29.3% of votes cast.
Appointments[]
Cabinet[]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Lt. Governor | Jumaane Williams |
| Commissioner of Education | Terry Gipson |
| Commissioner of Agriculture and Markets | Rodney Brown |
| Commissioner of Labor | Sal Rosselli |
| Commissioner of Environmental Conservation | Bill McKibben |
| Chair of the Public Service Commission | John Rhodes |
| Commissioner of Civil Service | Nomiki Konst |
| Commissioner of Correctional Services | Michael Kirkpatrick |
| Commissioner of Health | Richard Gottfried |
| Commissioner of Mental Hygiene | Dr. Wendy Braje |
| Commissioner of Motor Vehicles | Michael P. Kearns |
| Commissioner of Family Assistance | Mike Mascarenas |
| Commissioner of Taxation and Finance | Tim Canova |
| Commissioner of Transportation | Tony Utano |
| Secretary of State | Charles Lavine |
| Superintendent of Financial Services | Dean Baker |
Staff[]
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Secretary to the Governor | Jeff Weaver |
| Director of State Operations | Casey Sinnwell |
| Comptroller for the Governor | Diana Fortuna |
| Counsel to the Governor | Adam Kaufmann |
| Chief of Staff | Caryn Compton |
| Executive Deputy Secretary | Shannon Jackson |
| Director for Communications | Karthik Ganapathy |
| Special Counselor to the Governor | Lori Kearns |
| Director of Policy | Warren Gunnels |
| Chief Economic Coordinator | Stephanie Kelton |
| Chair of the Energy Sub-Cabinet | Harry Silton |
| Deputy Secretary for Health & Human Services | Jill Furillo |
| Deputy Secretary for Civil Rights and Community Justice | Jonathan Westin |
| Deputy Secretary for Macroeconomics | Pavlina Tcherneva |
| Deputy Secretary for Economic Development | Richard Eskow |
| Deputy Secretary for Education | Diane Ravitch |
| Deputy Secretary for Energy | Lorie A. Cartwright |
| Deputy Secretary for Gaming | Doug Ostrander |
| Deputy Secretary for Labor | Susan Kent |
| Deputy Secretary for Public Safety | David Favro |
| Deputy Secretary for Housing and Development | Brad Lander |
| Deputy Secretary for Environment | Jason West |
| Deputy Secretary for Transportation | Michele Gilliam |
| Deputy Secretary for Food & Agriculture | Phil Barbato |
| Chief Diversity Officer | Erica Lee |
Personal Life[]
In 1963, Sanders and Deborah Shiling Messing, whom he met in college, volunteered for several months on the Israeli kibbutz Sha'ar HaAmakim. They married in 1964 and bought a summer home in Clinton County; they had no children and divorced in 1966. His son and only biological child, Levi Sanders, was born in 1969 to girlfriend Susan Campbell Mott. In 1988, Sanders married Jane O'Meara Driscoll, who later became president of SUNY Plattsburgh. The day after their wedding, the couple visited the Soviet Union as part of an official delegation in his capacity as Mayor. The city of Yaroslavl would become sister cities with Plattsburgh.
Family[]
In 2017, his stepdaughter, Plattsburgh city councilor Carina Driscoll, was elected Mayor of the city - the same office that Sanders held 34 years previously.
In February 2018, his son, Levi Sanders, announced that he would run for the United States House of Representatives in Vermont in the Democratic primary, challenging incumbent Libertarian Martha Rainville. He narrowly won the low-turnout primary, but was defeated by Rainville in the general election by an 18% margin. Rainville would later go on to be the Libertarian vice-presidential nominee in the 2020 presidential election.
Following the announcement of her husband's gubernatorial bid, Jane Sanders, former President of SUNY Plattsburgh, announced her candidacy to succeed him in Congress. She was ultimately defeated by Republican Elise Stefanik in the general election. She became First Lady of New York on January 1st, when her husband was sworn into office.