Jess Aloe

Free Press Staff Writer

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy said he'd "happily campaign all over the country" for Bernie Sanders if Sanders gets the Democratic nomination.

Leahy has endorsed Hillary Clinton over his fellow Vermont senator as his party's choice for president. At a news conference in Burlington on Monday, Leahy said he had urged then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to run and had promised her that he'd support her. Withdrawing his support for Clinton would violate his integrity, he said.

"First and foremost, I always keep my word," he said.

Leahy also said Sanders was a good friend and he was proud of a lot of the issues the democratic socialist has raised.

"Certainly Sen. Sanders would never ask me to break my word, nor has he," Leahy said, saying that keeping one's word was a touchstone of the Leahy family.

He said casting his super delegate vote for Clinton was a matter of "conscience and commitment," but added he had a feeling that by the time the Democratic National Convention rolls around this summer, one of the candidates would have a clear majority of support.

Leahy said earlier he would start campaigning for Clinton after the New Hampshire primary.

Contact Jess Aloe at 802-660-1874 or jaloe@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/jess_aloe