Bernie Boost: Sanders Giving Plenty of Help to Vermont Democrats

By JOHN WALTERS

Excerpt:

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has had a sometimes rocky relationship with the Democratic Party. But he's making considerable efforts this year to support the Vermont Democrats' coordinated campaign, including direct financial support and a host of personal appearances between now and November 6. The coordinated campaign is just that: a joint effort to support the entire ticket. Candidates benefit from the coordinated effort and are expected to contribute accordingly. The size and nature of the contribution is subject to negotiation with the party.

The Sanders reelection campaign has pledged $150,000 to the coordinated campaign this year, nearly 50 percent more than he contributed in 2012, the last time he was on the Senate ballot. On top of that, Sanders is paying for two statewide mailers promoting early and absentee voting. The first went out before the August 14 primary; the second is scheduled for next week.

The next events are on Saturday, September 22. At 9:30 a.m., Sanders will appear in Stowe with Democrat Marina Meerburg, who's challenging 12-year incumbent Rep. Heidi Scheuermann (R-Stowe). In the afternoon, he'll be in Troy on behalf of Rep. Cindy Weed (P/D-Enosburg Falls), who's in a tough reelection battle. On Saturday evening, Sanders will host a rally in St. Johnsbury that will feature House hopefuls Scott Campbell, Dennis Labounty and Martha Allen, Democrats who are hoping to win Republican seats in the Northeast Kingdom. (Allen served as a Sanders delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention.)

Jackson said there will be "three to four more" events the first weekend in October, with more likely to follow later in the month. There will also be a repeat of 2016's tours on behalf of the entire ticket in the closing weeks of the campaign.

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