Sanders' Vermont Roots Clash With New York Socialist Dreams

Vermont senator's long history outside New York City raises questions about his role in NYC politics

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:00am

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Despite his Brooklyn-tough persona, Sen. Bernie Sanders is actually a longtime resident of Vermont, not New York. This has led to criticism from New York City's new socialist mayor, Zohran Mamdani, who had Sanders preside over his public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall - an unusual move for an out-of-state figure. The article argues that Sanders' history of leaving New York City in the 1960s as part of the 'white flight' reflects his disconnect from the city's current political dynamics.

Why it matters

Sanders' Vermont roots and long absence from New York City raise questions about his legitimacy to play a prominent role in the city's politics, especially as a symbolic figurehead for the new socialist mayor. The article suggests Sanders may be more of a useful stand-in for the 'working-class New Yorker' than an authentic representative of the city's current political landscape.

The details

The article details how Sanders, a Brooklyn native, fled New York City nearly 60 years ago as part of the 'white flight' leaving the city in the 1960s. Many white radicals, including Sanders, moved to places like Burlington, Vermont to escape the rising power of black militants in the civil rights movement. Burlington at the time was less than 1% black, making it an ideal place for Sanders to build his political career. Despite this history, the new socialist mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani, chose Sanders to preside over his public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall, an unusual move for an out-of-state figure.

  • Sanders moved to Vermont's biggest city of Burlington in 1968.

The players

Bernie Sanders

A U.S. Senator from Vermont who is originally from Brooklyn, New York but left the city nearly 60 years ago as part of the 'white flight' to places like Burlington, Vermont.

Zohran Mamdani

The new socialist mayor of New York City who chose Sanders, an out-of-state figure, to preside over his public swearing-in ceremony on the steps of City Hall.

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General who administered the official oath of office to Mayor Mamdani at a private midnight gathering, since an out-of-state figure cannot give a binding oath of office unless vested with state-authorized authority.

Jamaal Bowman

A member of the left-wing 'Squad' in Congress who held a rally in the South Bronx, which was not even in his own district, with Bernie Sanders.

Ritchie Torres

A U.S. Representative who represents the South Bronx area and criticized Bowman's 'obscenity-filled rant' in the neighborhood, saying it 'remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent.'

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What they’re saying

“Many New Yorkers worry that he's a socialist, or worse, a communist. They should take comfort in knowing that the city's sad finances will stop the more radical ideas from materializing.”

— Froma Harrop, Columnist

“Bowman's tirade 'remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx.'”

— Ritchie Torres, U.S. Representative

What’s next

It remains to be seen how Sanders' role in New York City politics will continue to play out, especially as the new socialist mayor faces the realities of governing a complex urban center.

The takeaway

Sanders' long history outside of New York City raises questions about his legitimacy to play a prominent role in the city's current political dynamics, which are increasingly shaped by a new generation of socialist leaders like Mayor Mamdani. The article suggests that while Sanders may be an exciting speaker, his disconnect from the city's lived experiences could make him a poor fit as a symbolic figurehead for the city's left-wing movement.