Bernie Sanders, Senator of Vermont, has a suggestion for progressives to reach voters: run as independents rather than Democrats. The Democratic Party is trying its best to recover from 2024’s losses and move forward with shifting voter demographics and improving in future elections. The suggestion renews the internal debate in the party on how to use its policy platform to reach voters. Bernie Sanders had a tense relationship with the Democratic Party, although he attempted to seek the Democratic Party’s nomination. However, Hillary Clinton ran for president in 2016 and lost to Donald Trump.
Bernie Sanders Suggests Progressives Run As Independents
Since the 2024 election, Sanders has been on a nationwide “Fighting Oligarchy” tour and was recently joined by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, another huge progressive lawmaker. Sanders told the New York Times that the move was to help motivate people to run as Independents. He said, “One of the aspects of this tour is to try to rally people to get engaged in the political process and run as independents outside of the Democratic Party. There is a lot of great leadership all over this country at the grassroots level. We’ve got to bring that forward. And if we do that, we can defeat Trumpism and transform the political situation in America.”
The suggestion by Sanders is an interesting move, considering the political polarization in the country today. Plus, with the infighting and the growing frustrations with voters, the Democratic Party has been going through an identity crisis. A longtime independent, Sanders has had a tense but working relationship with the Democrats. He has been an independent since first serving Congress in the House and is the longest-serving independent Senator. However, he used the label of a Democrat when it worked for him. Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez have been striking a chord and attracting large crowds for their rallies.
For Progressives, the rallies are a revival of their values. Many Democrats, including those in the establishment, are breathing a sigh of relief that they may have found a voice in the voice of the Republican Party’s tight grip on the federal government. One example is President Donald Trump signing an executive order to abolish the Department of Education. However, some moderate Democrats are concerned that Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez could turn off swing voters from their party. The recent moves by Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders and their “Fight The Oligarchy” rallies make for a new move to reach voters.
Sanders’ suggestion is bold, and it could open the door for some conversations among Democrats on how to move forward after last year’s defeat in the election. Democrats are facing immense criticism from their voters, who don’t think they are fighting back hard enough against the Trump administration. Republicans have control of the House and Senate, which leaves Democrats pretty much defenseless in shaping policy and public perception. New strategies that are not constrained to party lines can be an effective method of reaching voters. How the Democratic Party plans to move forward over the next four years remains to be seen.
Bernie Sanders Could Be on to New Strategies
It has been a long post-election for the Democrats after last year’s defeat. I could think of many things that went wrong for the Democratic Party, but the list would be too long to highlight here. The Bernie Sanders “Fighting Oligarchy” tour represents his commitment to uniting citizens at the local level, which can be effective for progressives in creating more inclusive political spaces. The political polarization in this country seems to be getting increasingly out of control, and things need to change for Americans, regardless of political ideology, to come together as one.
By uniting progressives with a common cause separate from the party’s internal strife, progressive candidates can prioritize the key concerns of Americans. The Democratic Party will desperately need an identity resurgence. The party has been at a crossroads since Kamala Harris lost to Trump in the 2024 election. The Trump administration’s aggressive policies have alarmed many voters, such as the heavy tariffs, mass deportations, and the executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. Moving away from traditional party lines can help independent progressive candidates aggressively oppose such policies and position themselves as true progressive candidates.
Although some positives can come from Sanders’ proposal, there could be some drawbacks. The current two-party system in our country can pose some challenges, as progressives will have to go through traditional party hurdles and secure elections. Plus, progressives who run as independents must persuade conservative/moderate Democrats. Unlike traditional Democrats, Independents often struggle to get the same recognition and institutional backing. However, that could change due to the Democratic voters’ frustrations with the party.
I think there has to be a clear unity with the Democratic Party, which Sanders is trying to accomplish. Two weeks after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer aligned with Republicans to avert a government shutdown, Democrats have been at odds with how he handled the standoff. Some have conceded that they are sticking with Schumer, but some outside progressives have called for him to resign. This alone is just a prime example of Democrats infighting with each other, which is the last thing they need right now.Â
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think that Bernie Sanders’ call for progressive candidates to run as Independents can be an effective strategy to reach voters and vigorously oppose the Trump administration’s policies that have concerned many Americans. Sanders’ call for the move reflects the progressive voters’ disillusionment with the traditional Democratic Party structure.
The candidates could break away from traditional party lines by running as independents. However, I think there could be some significant challenges along the way. The two-party system brings many hurdles, including a lack of resources, ballot inclusion, and recognition. If progressive candidates are to run as Independents rather than as Democrats, they will have to do things very tactfully to be successful.
