Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont announced endorsements for approximately five dozen candidates running for state and local offices, as part of an effort to advance progressive policies at the grassroots level.

The endorsements primarily focus on candidates seeking positions in state legislatures, city councils, and other local government roles rather than federal offices. According to reports, many of the endorsed candidates have previously supported Sanders in his presidential campaigns or share his progressive policy agenda.

The move represents Sanders' continued effort to build a progressive movement beyond his own electoral campaigns. The Vermont senator, who ran for president in 2016 and 2020, has consistently emphasized the importance of organizing at the local and state level to achieve policy changes.

Sanders' endorsement strategy reflects a broader trend in recent election cycles where established political figures have worked to influence races down the ballot. The endorsements come as various political movements seek to establish influence in state and local governments, where many policy decisions affecting daily life are made.

The specific races and candidates included in Sanders' endorsement list span multiple states, though the full details of the endorsed slate were not immediately available. Local and state races have gained increased attention from national political figures as a way to build long-term political infrastructure and advance policy priorities.