By james art 
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is running for a fourth six-year term in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as part of his decades-long tenure as a staunch progressive voice in American politics.
The 83-year-old independent, who has championed progressive causes for years, is being challenged by Republican Gerald Malloy, a veteran business owner, in a race that could test Sanders’ lasting influence on the state and his broader agenda.
Sanders, a self-described Democratic Socialist who caucuses with Democrats in the Senate, has become a central figure in shaping the nation’s policy on health care, education, workers’ rights and climate change.
Although he’s not seeking the national spotlight this time around, Sanders’ position as the longest-serving independent in Congress means his re-election could have significant implications for the future of progressive politics in the US
Jose Luis Magana/AP, file
Who is Gerald Malloy?
He told WCAX-TV during a recent debate, “With my seniority and experience, I didn’t think I could walk away from Vermont at this difficult time in American history,” stressing that he believes the nation is facing existential challenges. including threats to democracy, income inequality, climate change and women’s reproductive rights.
Sanders’ main challenger, 62-year-old Gerald Malloy, is positioning himself as a new alternative to the senior senator.
Malloy, a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer who spent 22 years in the military, has focused his campaign on economic growth, job creation and border security.
The business owner, who also spent 16 years as a defense contractor, criticized Sanders for his long tenure in Congress, suggesting that after 34 years, Sanders is out of touch with the needs of Vermonters.
Wilson Ring/AP, file
What issues does Bernie Sanders care about?
“I thought Bernie was going to retire,” Malloy said during the debate. “I have 40 years of relevant experience — business, government, military, foreign policy — and I can do better than Bernie.”
Malloy, who opposes tax increases and stresses the need to enforce immigration laws, is seeking to win over voters who feel Sanders’ focus on national and international issues has distracted from the needs of Vermont communities.
As chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Sanders has been a consistent advocate for Medicare for all, raising taxes on the wealthy, tackling climate change through government action and reducing US military involvement abroad.
His opposition to the military-industrial complex and his calls for a fairer tax system have made him a polarizing figure in Washington, but also one who remains deeply influential among the Democratic base.
His stance on foreign policy, particularly his criticism of the US role in the Israel-Hamas war, set him apart from mainstream Democratic leaders.
Why does Bernice Sanders oppose US military aid to Israel?
Sanders has vocally opposed U.S. military aid to Israel, a stance that has put him at odds with both the Biden administration and the centrist wing of his party.
Sanders endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race in July, signaling his continued involvement in national politics.
He has often singled out US elections as pivotal moments for the future of democracy itself, warning of the growing influence of far-right politics, including the threat posed by former President Donald Trump.
Sanders first entered the political scene as mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in the 1980s before serving 16 years in the House of Representatives.
His rise to national prominence came in 2016 when he nearly secured the Democratic presidential nomination, a feat he nearly repeated in 2020.
Sanders said he did not intend to run again in 2024, choosing instead to support Biden’s re-election before Biden withdrew from the race.
While Malloy’s candidacy represents a clear challenge to Sanders’ decades-long dominance of Vermont politics, the senator’s enduring popularity and political influence remain formidable.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press