Bernie Sanders Ripped for ‘Absolutely Ridiculous’ Reelection Decision

Independent Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is running for another term, which will make him 83 years old if he’s elected for a fourth stint and add to the longest nonpartisan run in congressional history.

Sanders is viewed as one of the progressive left’s most influential figures of at least the past decade, which included two presidential runs as a Democratic candidate in 2016 and 2020. He originally served 16 years as a congressman in the House of Representatives, before being elected to his first six-year term in the Senate in 2006, and he was reelected in 2012 and 2018.

Although one of a handful of independents in the Senate, he has notoriously caucused with Democrats on the House and Senate side for most of his career. He chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and is part of other committees, and with his seniority he is commonly viewed as being among Senate Democratic leadership.

“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 an announcement on Monday. “In recent years, working together, we have made important progress in addressing some very serious challenges. But much, much more needs to be done if we are to become the state and the nation our people deserve.”

Newsweek reached out to Sanders’ office and campaign via email for further comments.

The senator also said that the November election “is the most consequential election in our lifetimes.”

“Will the United States continue to even function as a democracy, or will we move to an authoritarian form of government?” he said.

Upon his announcement and seemingly expressing no desire to leave Washington, D.C., some individuals online were wary due to Sanders being 83 years of age if reelected and 89 years old at the completion of a hypothetical fourth Senate term.

“Bernie Sanders will turn 83 years old in September,” Democrat Matt Murphy posted on X. “That means he would be 89 years old at the end of his term. Absolutely ridiculous.”

“I resent that so many from this generation continue clinging on to power,” said Democrat Zack Czajkowski on X. “He’ll be 89 at the end of his next term. Great.”

“Bernie Sanders is running for re-election at 82 years old. By the end of his next term, he’ll be 89 years old. Why don’t these people want to live out their last days with their families rather than try and destroy our nation?” wrote conservative Joey Mannarino on X.

One X user noted the difference in how Sanders and President Joe Biden are perceived based on their ages.

Sanders is older than Biden and, if reelected to another term, would finish off that term older than Biden would be at the end of his second hypothetical term as president if successful against Donald Trump.

“I hate it here,” said X user @Needle_of_Arya. “Where’s the parallel universe where Hillary is in her second term?”

“We need a new generation,” said Joel Cardwell. “Boomers are so last century. With respect, sir.”

In his announcement, Sanders also touched on the escalating situation in Gaza between Israel and Hamas as pro-Palestinian protests continue across the United States.

Sanders has been among the most vocal Senate critics of continuing to provide military aid to Israel, citing famine and the increasing loss of life among Palestinians.

“Israel had the absolute right to defend itself [after Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks] against this terrorist attack, but it did not and does not have the right to go to war against the entire Palestinian people—which is what it’s doing.”