After sitting on the sidelines for much of Vermont’s gubernatorial primary, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday endorsed Democrat Sue Minter for governor.
“Sue Minter understands that the key for Vermont’s economic future is opening up higher education to all Vermonters, regardless of income,” Sanders said in a brief written statement. “That’s why, if elected governor, she will work to make community colleges and Vermont Tech tuition free.”
Sanders also announced his support for Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Treasurer Beth Pearce, Secretary of State Jim Condos, Auditor Doug Hoffer and Chittenden County State’s Attorney T.J. Donovan, who is running to succeed retiring Attorney General Bill Sorrell.
The former presidential candidate “looks forward to campaigning with the statewide candidates in the near future,” spokesman Michael Briggs said in a statement. He provided no further details.
Sanders had previously endorsed Sen. David Zuckerman (P/D) for lieutenant governor, along with a slew of legislative candidates. But he had refused repeated entreaties to weigh in on the gubernatorial race. In the weeks before Vermont’s August primary, a Democratic rival of Minter’s, former state senator Matt Dunne, aggressively sought Sanders’ endorsement and touted himself as a candidate in his mold.
In recent weeks, Vermont Democrats have publicly complained about Sanders’ reluctance to embrace their ticket.
“Is he going to let a Republican win his home state?” one unnamed “top Vermont Democrat” told Politico earlier this month.
In the same story, Republican Governors Association spokesman Jon Thompson taunted Minter, saying, “Sue Minter and her mentor [incumbent governor] Peter Shumlin are so toxic, even Bernie Sanders wants nothing to do with them.”
For a much-anticipated endorsement, Sanders’ announcement Thursday was surprisingly low-key. He waited until 4:26 p.m. to release the news — and mentioned most of the Democratic candidates only in passing. He said nothing specific about Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), with whom he has served in Congress for 16 years and who is facing a challenge from Republican Scott Milne. Leahy endorsed former secretary of state Hillary Clinton over Sanders during the Democratic presidential primary.
Sanders only elaborated on his support for Minter and Donovan.
“T.J. Donovan understands that criminal justice is about more than just sending people to jail,” he said in the statement. “As attorney general he will help create a Vermont criminal justice system that focuses on preventing crime through early intervention, job training and educational opportunities for at-risk Vermonters.”
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Sanders always makes me want to vomit.
Hypocrite.
This is an unusual step for Bernie. He likes being an independent and not playing the endorsement game. His run for president forced him to play – he could no longer stay on the sideline. But even a lone wolf has to run with the pack at times.
Roy (no last name) and “Walter Conkrite” are apparently tongue-tied in writing meaningful comments on this story. I for one do not care about Ray’s delicate stomach and suggest the appropriate response is “too much information.” With regard to “Mr. Cronkite” his cryptic comment, having no subject, presumably refers to Bernie, but does not tell us in which way he is allegedly being hypocritical.
I suggest Bernie took on a few moral obligations when he induced the Democrats to let him run in their primaries. I say “moral” obligations since surely there was no actual quid pro quo. Bernie has dutifully endorsed the Democratic ticket here in Vermont, in payment of the moral obligation. To expect him to praise those who did not support his efforts seems a little unjust. Yet he managed to say some very nice things about some of them. Kudos to Bernie.
I’ll probably vote for Minter because she’s likely to do less damage than her opponent Scott. Scott makes me fearful but Minter engenders little inspiration that anything will change for the better under her watch. Nothing she has ever said or done in her association with state affairs suggests otherwise. She has never indicated an awareness of any fundamental flaws in the American way. However I will reserve some hope until she has some experience as governor. Like Charlie Brown I keep foolishly believing that the person who has control of the ball will play fair. I am 70 and it hasn’t happened yet. Sanders is one of the first to exude leadership along with a swelling justice and human rights based underpinning for his beliefs and intentions.
Think it’s really funny he is endorsing Leahy and the rest that are running, for they turned their backs on endorsing him..Wonder if money was exchange..wouldn’t be the first time..right Bernie?
Wonder how many dislikes I’ll get for telling the truth…lol lol
Oh here we go again with Barbara Alsop’s attempts to sound witty and intelligent but falling far short once again. We get it Barbara. Your staunch boot licking adoration of Sanders remains intact. Its understandable that someone like you, really unsuccessful in everything you’ve ever done, would be so enamored of Sanders and his total lack of any meaningful accomplishment.
Roy, I know nothing about your background, and you obviously know nothing about mine. One might almost think I wrote a decision against you when I was the state’s Workers Compensation Hearing Officer. Didn’t know that about me? I have held many positions in my careeer, and I will match you one for one. My devotion to Bernie, such as it is, is comparable to that of a large number of Vermonters who happily return him to office with numbers the Democrats would love to have. Let me guess. You’re a Republican. I commented on the story, what’s your excuse?
Where are all the follow-up stories about how Sanders support failed to help Minter across the finish line?
OMG. Alsop made it as high as one of several hearing officers in workers compensation cases and wants us all to know. Hey, I know someone who was promoted to senior assistant shift supervisor at Red Lobster.