Bernie Sanders to seek fourth term as U.S. senator from Vermont

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., announced on Monday that he is seeking a fourth term in the U.S. Senate.

Sanders, 82, is the longest serving independent member of Congress in the nation's history. He was elected to the U.S House of Representatives in 1991, where he served for 16 years, before joining the U.S Senate in 2007.

"I have been, and will be if re-elected, in a strong position to provide the kind of help that Vermonters need in these difficult times," Sanders said in a statement on Monday explaining his decision to run for re-election.

More: 5 things to know about Democratic front-runner Bernie Sanders' history in Vermont

Sanders currently serves as chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, where he has focused on reducing prescription drug prices. He is also a member of the Veterans Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee and the Senate Budget Committee, where he previously served as chairman.

Sanders also launched two unsuccessful campaigns for U.S President in 2016 and 2020, vying for the Democratic nomination.

Prior to his stint in Congress, Sanders served as Burlington's 37th mayor from 1981 to 1989.

This story will be updated.

Megan Stewart is a government accountability reporter for the Burlington Free Press. Contact her at mstewartyounger@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Bernie Sanders announces bid for fourth Senate term