Analysis: Look for Bernie Sanders on 2020 ballot

Aki Soga | Burlington Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption 'They want to destroy people,' Bernie Sanders says Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, talks with Aki Soga of the Burlington Free Press in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, saying that the nation must stop President Trump's reactionary agenda by electing progressive democrats to office.

Voters will likely see some version of Bernie Sanders on the ballot in 2020, even if he decides against a second presidential bid in 2 years.

Should Sanders decide against a second bid for the Democratic nomination, he will be in a strong position to set the terms of the debate in choosing the party’s nominee.

In 2016, the Vermont independent ran on an unapologetically progressive platform that the party establishment feared was too far left to have broad voter appeal. Yet he gave Hillary Clinton a spirited challenge. Now, mainstream Democrats embrace many aspects of the Sanders agenda.

The Sanders factor can already be seen in the midterm primaries taking place across the country this year.

A June 2 story on CNN.com headlined “2020 Insight: Bernie on the ballot in Iowa” about Tuesday’s Iowa primary notes: “Most of the candidates this cycle are leaning in Sanders' direction ideologically, but victories for (House candidate Peter) Glasson and/or gubernatorial candidate Cathy) d'Alessandro would be a big boost for Sanders supporters looking for a headline-grabbing win in such an important 2020 state.”

As he runs for a third term as Vermont’s junior senator this year, Sanders makes no secret of the fact that he plans to spend time leading up to the election campaigning for candidates in other states.

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Among his top priorities for November, Sanders says, is to make sure the Democrats take the House and Senate and increasing the number of progressive Democrats in Congress.

Our Revolution -- which Sanders describes as an organization that grew out of his presidential campaign but in which he plays no day-to-day role -- is actively working on behalf of progressive candidates.

In an June 1 email, Our Revolution boasts of endorsing 11 gubernatorial candidates, 18 running for the U.S. House and 44 seeking state or local elected seats. The list is followed by the kicker, “25 wins! and counting. We’re getting warmed up!”

Bernie Sanders will not endorse Sen. Feinstein in Calif. primary Former Presidential Candidate, Bernie Sanders, says he won't endorse Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein in the upcoming California primary. He told The Hill it's "an issue for the people of California."

The email goes on to say, “Give $7 now to make sure the most progressive candidates represent Our Revolution on the ballot this November.” That’s money that can go toward backing Sanders-flavored candidates.

Sanders’ personal efforts as well as the weight and money Our Revolution can bring to bear on behalf of other candidates serves his own agenda and helps the Democratic hierarchy.

Sanders could call in those chits in 2020, whether the name that appears on the Democratic Party ballot is his or someone else running under the progressive banner.

Aki Soga is engagement editor for The Burlington Free Press. Email him at asoga@freepressmedia.com or chat with him on Twitter: @asoga