| − | Sanders began his electoral political career in 1971 as a member of the Liberty Union Party, which originated in the anti-war movement and the [[People's Party (1970s)|People's Party]]. He ran as the Liberty Union candidate for governor of Vermont in 1972 and 1976 and as a candidate for U.S. senator in 1972 and 1974.<ref>[http://media.cq.com/members/509?rc=1 Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.)] RollCall.com. Retrieved February 20, 2017.</ref> In 1980, Sanders ran for mayor of Burlington, Vermont at the suggestion of his close friend and political confidante Richard Sugarman, a professor of religion at the [[University of Vermont]]. He defeated the incumbent Democrat mayor and served for eight years, from April 6, 1981 to April 4, 1989. | + | Sanders began his electoral political career in 1971 as a member of the Liberty Union Party, which originated in the anti-war movement and the [[People's Party (1970s)|People's Party]]. He ran as the Liberty Union candidate for governor of Vermont in 1972 and 1976 and as a candidate for U.S. senator in 1972 and 1974.<ref>[http://media.cq.com/members/509?rc=1 Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.)] RollCall.com. Retrieved February 20, 2017.</ref> In 1980, Sanders ran for mayor of Burlington, Vermont at the suggestion of his close friend and political confidante Richard Sugarman, a professor of religion at the [[University of Vermont]]. He defeated the incumbent Democrat mayor by 10 votes and served for eight years, from April 6, 1981 to April 4, 1989. |
| | In 1986, Sanders unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Governor Madeleine Kunin (D) in her reelection bid. Running as an independent, Sanders finished third with 14.4% of the vote. Kunin won with 47%, followed by Lt. Governor Peter P. Smith (R) with 38%. | | In 1986, Sanders unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Governor Madeleine Kunin (D) in her reelection bid. Running as an independent, Sanders finished third with 14.4% of the vote. Kunin won with 47%, followed by Lt. Governor Peter P. Smith (R) with 38%. |