Bernie Sanders Unveils Largest 2026 Endorsement Campaign, Targeting State and Local Races

Senator Bernie Sanders announced endorsements for more than five dozen candidates running for local and state offices across 20 states in the 2026 election cycle. The list, released in October, spans positions from county commissions to state legislatures and includes three Senate hopefuls. Sanders described the effort as a means to shape the Democratic Party’s future direction.

New York Times

Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, was the runner-up in the 2016 and 2020 Democratic presidential primaries. His progressive platform has shaped much of the party’s agenda for a decade. In 2020 he issued a similar endorsement slate; the 2026 list is broader and released later in the primary calendar, indicating a shift toward down-ballot influence.

New York Times

The Senate endorsements include Graham Platner in Maine, Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, and Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota. Platner’s main rival, Governor Janet Mills, withdrew, making him the presumptive Democratic nominee. Other endorsements cover various incumbent and challenger candidates for state legislative seats, though the source does not list them.

New York Times

The list includes over 60 candidates in 20 states, covering county commissions, state houses, state senates, and three U.S. Senate races. Released after many primary contests, the timing suggests an intent to influence runoff and general-election outcomes.

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In a recent interview, Sanders said that at 84 his tenure is limited, so he wants to “help elect as many like-minded allies as possible up and down the ballot.” He framed the effort as a long-term movement to sustain progressive policies beyond his career.

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Moderate Democrats have voiced reservations, noting the Senate candidates initially faced opposition from the party’s centrist wing. Critics argue their policy positions differ from the broader Democratic electorate in their states.

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The source provides only “more than five dozen” for the candidate count and notes difficulty retrieving full content, leaving many details unspecified. The effect of the October release on primary outcomes is unquantified.

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• “By the time I’m 104 and serving my 8th term in the U.S. Senate — that’s a joke,” — Bernie Sanders, Senator

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• “Yes of course, we’re building a movement for the future.” — Bernie Sanders, Senator

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Sanders’ endorsement campaign is intended to expand a progressive bench within the Democratic Party, influencing candidate selection for future elections and reinforcing his policy agenda. By supporting candidates across a broad geographic range, he aims to embed progressive priorities in state legislatures and potentially shape the party’s national platform.

New York Times