Sanders says he is running again because the country faces some of the toughest and most serious challenges of modern times. He described these as threats to democratic foundations, massive income and wealth inequality, climate change and challenges to women’s ability to control their own bodies.

“I just didn’t feel, based on my seniority and my experience, that I could leave Vermont and represent Vermont at this difficult moment in American history,” he said during a recent WCAX-TV debate.

Malloy, 62, who served in the Army for 22 years and worked as a defense contractor for 16 years, said he believes Sanders would retire after 34 years in Congress — and he should. Malloy said Sanders isn’t delivering results.

“I have 40 years of very relative experience: business, government, military, foreign policy,” Malloy said during the debate.

Malloy, a West Point University graduate with a master’s degree in business administration, says if elected he would work to create good-paying jobs in Vermont, promote business and innovation, and would not support raising taxes. Malloy said he would try to enforce immigration laws and secure the border.

Sanders, chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said he was very proud of his record in Congress. He has been a consistent advocate for better government-paid health care, higher taxes on the rich, less military intervention abroad and comprehensive solutions to climate change.

Sanders said this was the country’s most consequential presidential election in modern history. He is a harsh critic of former President Donald Trump and supported Vice President Kamala Harris after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race. Sanders strongly disagreed with Biden on aid for Israel’s years-long war against Hamas and sought to block U.S. arms sales to Israel.

Sanders began his political career as mayor of Burlington, Vermont’s largest city, from 1981 to 1989. He later served as a congressman for 16 years.

He sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016 and 2020. More than a year ago, he said he would forego another presidential run and support Biden’s re-election this year before Biden ended his candidacy in July.