Career & Net Worth Of Bernie Sanders

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Career & Net Worth Of Bernie Sanders

Bernard Sanders is an American politician who has served as the junior United States senator from Vermont since 2007 and as U.S. Representative for the state's at-large congressional district from 1991 to 2007.

Early Life

Bernard "Bernie" Sanders was born in Brooklyn, New York City on September 8, 1941. His father Elias worked as a paint salesman after he immigrated to the U.S. in 1921 from Austria-Hungary. His mother Dorothy was born in NYC. Growing up in Midwood Brooklyn, Sanders was raised in the Jewish faith. He attended James Madison High School, where he was captain of the track team. He ran for student body presidency but finished last. Bernie lost both of his parents young, with his mother dying just after he graduated high school at the age of 46, and losing his father just a few years later. Sanders went to Brooklyn College before transferring to the University of Chicago and graduating with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1964.

Sanders was heavily involved in political activism during his time in Chicago. He joined the Young People's Socialist League and was active in movements for racial equality. He participated in numerous rallies and sit-ins to protest his university's segregated campus housing policy. In March 1963, he traveled to Washington to see Martin Luther King, Jr. give his legendary "I Have a Dream" speech. Sanders was also actively involved in antiwar and peace movements throughout college.

Early Career

Sanders returned to NYC after he graduated college and held a wide variety of various jobs before moving to Stannard, Vermont in 1968, and continued odd jobs including writing articles for alt publication The Vermont Freeman. In 1972, his political career began when he ran unsuccessfully as the Liberty Union candidate for Vermont governor and as a candidate for U.S. senator in 1972 and 1974. He finished third in 1974. He finally scored political gains by running for Mayor of Burlington, Vermont and winning by just twelve votes. Bernie served as mayor from 1981 to 1989, (re-elected three times) and became known for his self-described Socialist views and outspoken nature.

Us House Of Representative

The political underdog seemed an unlikely candidate for national office, but clinched a 1990 seat as an independent in the U.S. House of Representatives. In his early days in the House, he alienated colleagues with his outspoken criticism of both parties. He admonished politicians who were on the side of the wealthy versus the average or poor American and famously voted and advocated for banking reform. Bernie was a vehement opposer of 2001's Patriot Act and the war in Iraq. Rolling Stone called Sanders the "amendment king" in 2005, citing his ability to get more amendments passed than any other congressman since 1995. Sanders served as a representative for sixteen years, from 1991 until he became a senator in 2007.

Senate

On April 21, 2005, Sanders entered the race for the U.S. Senate when Jim Jeffords announced he was not seeking reelection. Sanders had the support and endorsement of both Chuck Schumer and then-senator Barack Obama, as well as the support of Howard Dean and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid. He defeated Rich Tarrant, who had spent $7 million of his own wealth on his campaign, by a large margin, and went on to be re-elected with 70% of the vote in 2012 and 2018.

As a Sentator Bernie has sponsored many important bills that have become law, such as the Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2013. He voted against the Troubled Asset Relief Program, otherwise known as The Wall Street Bailout in 2008 and 2009. In 2010, Sanders famously held an 8-hour filibuster against George Bush's Tax Relief act of 2010, which consisted of major proposed tax cuts for the wealthy. In 2010, he supported the DREAM Act, which aimed to provide a path to citizenship for undocumented minors who immigrated into the U.S.

Notoriously a defender of healthcare for all, he successfully added a provision to the Affordable Care Act to provide $11 billion to rural community health centers in 2009. In response to the House's vote to repeal and replace the ACA in 2017, he co-sponsored the Medicare for All bill, a single-payer health care plan, along with 15 other Senate co-sponsors. Bernie has also been vigilant in introducing and sponsoring bills that support a living wage and a hike in the minimum wage. He is consistently liberal on social issues such as LGBTQ rights, is pro-choice, anti-death penalty, and considers himself a feminist. He has been vocal and open about his opposition and criticism of the Trump administration.

Presidential Campaigns

On April 30, 2015, Bernie announced his intention to seek the Presidential nomination for the Democratic Party for the 2016 election. During his primary race, Sanders relied almost solely on grassroots and small individual donations rather than Super PACs, and unprecedented move that ended up breaking the fundraising record for most contributions at a certain point in his campaign. In February 2016, it was reported that he had received $3.7 million contributions from 1.3 million contributors. By March of that year, the campaign had raised over $96 million. Ultimately, Hilary Clinton won the nomination, and Sanders formally endorsed her on July 12, 2016.

No longer considered an underdog, in February 2019, Sanders announced that he would be running for president again in 2020. The campaign employed the same grassroots funding attempts, along with social media as a key tool in organizing efforts. The campaign recruited over one million volunteers within weeks of his announcement. On February 11, 2020, Sanders claimed victory at the New Hampshire primary.

Personal Life

Sanders was married to college sweetheart Deborah Shiling from 1964 to 1966. He has one biological child, Levi (b.1969) with Susan Mott. In 1988, Sanders married Jean O'Meara Driscoll. He is stepfather to Jean's three children, Dave, Carina, and Heather. He has seven grandchildren. He has written six books, including a published speech of his famous filibuster.

Net Worth

Bernie Sanders is an American politician who has a net worth of $3 million dollars. Sanders has been a United States Senator representing Vermont since 2007. He has also undertaken a number of Presidential campaigns.