Socialist Party Vermont

Former Burlington Mayor Bernard Sanders became the first socialist in the U.S. House of Representatives in 40 years Tuesday by ousting Republican Rep. Peter Smith. With 96% of the precincts reporting, Sanders had 108,061 votes, 56%, to 75,604 votes, 39%, for Smith. The comparison between Sanders and the last House socialist, Vito Marcantonio, highlights a significant change in the left wing of American politics. Only three members of Congress in this century have carried the socialist banner.

Former Burlington Mayor Bernard Sanders became the first socialist in the U.S. House of Representatives in 40 years Tuesday by ousting Republican Rep. Peter Smith. With 96% of the precincts reporting, Sanders had 108,061 votes, 56%, to 75,604 votes, 39%, for Smith. The comparison between Sanders and the last House socialist, Vito Marcantonio, highlights a significant change in the left wing of American politics. Only three members of Congress in this century have carried the socialist banner.

Vermont, once known for its rock-ribbed Republicanism, sent Mr. Smith to Washington two years ago--but may replace him with a socialist. Newspaper polls in the Green Mountain State show a dead heat between Peter Smith, 45, a moderate Republican with a strong record on the environment and education, and Bernard Sanders, 49, an independent-socialist and the former mayor of Burlington, for the state's only seat in the U.S. House.

Vermont, once known for its rock-ribbed Republicanism, sent Mr. Smith to Washington two years ago--but may replace him with a socialist. Newspaper polls in the Green Mountain State show a dead heat between Peter Smith, 45, a moderate Republican with a strong record on the environment and education, and Bernard Sanders, 49, an independent-socialist and the former mayor of Burlington, for the state's only seat in the U.S. House.