Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) said on Tuesday that he would forgo another presidential bid of his own and instead endorse President Joe Biden’s reelection.
Sanders, who was Biden’s chief rival in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary, told The Associated Press that he would “do everything I can to see the president is reelected.”
“The last thing this country needs is a Donald Trump or some other right-wing demagogue who is going to try to undermine American democracy or take away a woman’s right to choose, or not address the crisis of gun violence, or racism, sexism or homophobia,” Sanders said in an interview. “So, I’m in to do what I can to make sure that the president is reelected.”
His comments came hours after Biden officially announced his decision to seek a second term. In a video that was released on Tuesday, Biden presented the upcoming contest as a battle against "Republican extremism," implying that he needs more time to fully accomplish his goal of restoring the nation's character.
Sanders previously left open the possibility of running for President again. In December, his adviser said Sanders would likely take “a hard look” at launching a third bid for the presidency if Biden chooses not to run in 2024.
Sanders ran against Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, but dropped out of the race when he was unable to build on early momentum of winning some of the primaries. He subsequently endorsed Biden.
Sanders also sought the Democratic nomination in 2016 but lost to Hillary Clinton.
On Tuesday he told AP that he would not run and discouraged any another high-profile progressive candidates from doing so either.
“People will do what they want to do,” Sanders said of other potential primary challenges. “I think Joe Biden will be the Democratic nominee. And my job, and I think the progressive movement’s job, is to make certain that he stands up and fights for the working class of this country and does not take anything for granted.”
Sanders has been criticized for his radical views on some issues, including Israel. He has repeatedly criticized the Israeli government and has asserted that it is racist.
In 2019, Sanders caused an uproar when he told the J Street conference that the US should redirect its aid to Israel and give it to Gaza instead.
In February, the Senator again called Israel’s government “racist” and suggested that there should be strings attached to US aid to Israel.