Bernie Sanders Criticizes Harris Campaign for Neglecting Working-Class Voters

The Vermont Senator believes Democrats lost in 2024 by failing to offer a bold agenda addressing income inequality and economic hardship.

By Maeve Reston, The Washington Post, May 31, 2025 (Adapted)

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) has sharply criticized Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, arguing it failed to connect with working-class voters, according to an interview with The Washington Post. While calling Harris a friend, Sanders pointed to her campaign’s focus on elite endorsements and its lack of attention to economic struggles as key missteps that contributed to Democrats’ losses.

In the interview, conducted during his “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, Sanders stated, “The campaign she ran went around the country with Liz Cheney, had billionaires talking for her, basically did not talk to the needs of the working class of this country.” He argues this disconnect left Democrats vulnerable in an election that saw Republicans gain control of Congress and the White House.

To address this, Sanders is leveraging his political network to promote left-leaning candidates who prioritize working-class issues and reject billionaire and lobbyist funding. His organization, Friends of Bernie Sanders, received 7,000 responses to a candidate recruitment call, with roughly half expressing interest in running as independents. Sanders is also endorsing select Democrats in open races and plans to hire staff in 36 districts across 18 states to train supporters and challenge President Donald Trump’s agenda.

However, Sanders’s approach has sparked concern among some Democrats. Critics, including former Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Steve Israel, worry that his focus on progressive candidates and rhetoric like “oligarchy” could alienate moderates and hinder the party’s chances in competitive races. Others fear that supporting independents might split votes, complicating efforts to regain control of Congress.

Despite these tensions, Sanders remains committed to reshaping the Democratic Party’s strategy. He believes Democrats lost in 2024 by embracing incrementalism and failing to offer a bold agenda addressing income inequality and economic hardship. His efforts, including rallies with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), aim to rebuild trust with working-class voters and lay the groundwork for a stronger Democratic showing in the 2026 midterms.

This article is adapted from an original piece by Maeve Reston, published by The Washington Post on May 31, 2025.