Bernie Sanders Joins Amanda Janoo on Campaign Trail
Senator Sanders supports the Democratic and Progressive gubernatorial nominee during a campaign event in Winooski.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Elections
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Senator Bernie Sanders campaigned with gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo in Winooski to bolster her candidacy for the upcoming Vermont election. Janoo is running as the nominee for the Democratic and Progressive parties.
Why it matters
Janoo advocates for a universal primary care system intended to decouple healthcare access from personal income or employment status. The proposal centers on state-level tax reforms to fund these services.
Janoo proposes a 2% tax surcharge on income exceeding $250,000 and an 8% surcharge on income above $500,000. These measures are projected to generate $344 million in annual state revenue.
The players
Bernie Sanders
He is a U.S. Senator representing Vermont who frequently endorses candidates aligned with his progressive platform.
Amanda Janoo
She is the nominee for the Democratic and Progressive parties in the Vermont gubernatorial race.
Phil Scott
He is the current Governor of Vermont who recently signed an executive order affecting how insurance premiums are priced.
The details
The proposed universal primary care system would require collaboration between the Agency of Human Services, the Joint Fiscal Office, and the Legislature. This campaign event follows a history of endorsements by Senator Sanders in previous gubernatorial races.
Timeline
2010s: Vermont previously attempted to enact a publicly funded healthcare system.
2016: Senator Sanders endorsed Sue Minter for governor.
2018: Senator Sanders endorsed Christine Hallquist for governor.
2020: Senator Sanders endorsed David Zuckerman for governor.
July 2026: Governor Phil Scott signed an executive order regarding insurance premium pricing.
Political Context
Janoo's plan follows the legacy of the Vermont 2010s publicly funded healthcare attempt, which previously sought to reform the state's coverage landscape. Her current platform marks a departure from that earlier initiative by focusing on a specific universal primary care model.
If implemented, these tax surcharges would directly affect the disposable income of Vermont residents earning over $250,000 annually. The proposed healthcare system could shift the state's delivery model for primary medical services.
The takeaway
The campaign highlights the divide between current state insurance policies and progressive healthcare proposals. Voters will weigh these structural economic plans as they approach the November gubernatorial election.
What happens next
The general election for the next governor of Vermont will take place on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the upcoming vote in Vermont Elections.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VTDigger.
Live Poll
Should your state implement a tax-funded universal primary care system?
