Amanda Janoo’s campaign for Vermont governor got a big boost on Wednesday when U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) announced he was endorsing her in her race against Republican incumbent Gov. Phil Scott.
The progressive icon said in a video statement that while he personally likes Scott, Janoo’s support for policies that would lower health care costs, decrease property taxes, support rural communities and bar data centers made her his choice in the race.
“I believe it’s time for a change, time for new leadership, time for a kind of energy and bold ideas that we’re not seeing in Montpelier right now,” Sanders said.
Janoo said she met with Sanders in person about two weeks ago and they had a “great, nerdy policy conversation” that left her hopeful she’d win his endorsement, she told Seven Days. Janoo added that Sanders’ wife, Jane Sanders, is “amazing” and had been an advisor to her campaign.
Sanders joins a growing list of Democratic and Progressive elected officials who have endorsed Janoo in recent months following her win in the Democratic primary in August. They include U.S. Sen. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), U.S. Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vt.) and former Democratic governor Howard Dean.
Sanders has endorsed the Democratic candidate in three of Scott’s five previous campaigns for governor, including Sue Minter in 2016; Christine Hallquist in 2018 and David Zuckerman in 2020.
Janoo has also amassed a huge list of endorsements from local and state leaders as she endeavors to have someone endorse her from each of the state’s 252 cities and towns.
In a statement, Janoo said Sanders’ political career has inspired her. While she does not believe “kingmakers” should play a role in elections, she said, she was deeply grateful for his support.
“This endorsement feels particularly meaningful to me,” Janoo said. “Not because I think politics should be about one person endorsing another. But because I see Bernie’s support as a reflection that I’m part of something much larger: a movement for economic justice, democratic power, and a government that actually belongs to the people.”
In his video statement, Sanders said Janoo “will fight for free primary and preventative care for all Vermonters,” which he said will keep health care costs down for everyone by keeping people healthier.
He said Janoo would tackle the housing crisis and create new jobs by supporting “permanently affordable nonprofit housing.” Sanders also applauded her proposal to lower property taxes by “asking luxury second homes, vacation rentals and large corporate investors to pay their fair share.”
Sanders, who has been one of the most outspoken members of the U.S. Senate on the dangers of AI, said Janoo was right to call for a statewide moratorium on what he called “AI data centers.” He called artificial intelligence a threat to “our privacy rights, our democratic institutions, and the mental health and wellbeing of our kids” as well as an “existential threat” should AI break free of human control.
“AI must benefit all of us, not just big tech billionaires,” Sanders said.
Sanders ended his remarks by stressing that Janoo, an economist who lacks political experience but is attracting large crowds across the state, has what it takes to lead Vermont.
“In my view, Amanda Janoo has the leadership qualities and the energy we need right now to become a great governor,” he said. “I hope you’ll give thought to supporting her.”
Janoo outraised Scott during the September campaign finance reporting period, while recent polls have showed the two are in a tight race.
The Green Mountain State Poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center found that Janoo had a six point lead over Scott. A Vermont Public poll released just a few days later showed Scott maintaining a 10-point lead over Janoo among likely voters.
Alison Novak contributed reporting.
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