Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is seeking a fourth six-year term in the U.S. Senate on Tuesday as part of his decades-long tenure as a staunch progressive voice in American politics.

The 83-year-old independent, who has championed progressive causes for years, faces a challenge from Republican Gerald Malloy, a veteran and business owner, in a race that will test Sanders' continued hold on the state and his broader agenda could pose.

Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist who caucuses with Senate Democrats, has become a central figure in shaping the country's policies on health care, education, workers' rights and climate change.

Even if he isn't seeking the national spotlight this time, Sanders' position as the longest-serving independent in Congress means his re-election could have significant implications for the future of progressive politics in the US

Who is Gerald Malloy?

He told WCAX-TV during a recent debate, “I didn't feel, with my seniority and my experience, that I could leave Vermont at this difficult moment in American history,” emphasizing that he believes the nation faces existential challenges challenges, including threats to democracy. Income inequality, climate change and women's reproductive rights.

Sanders' main challenger, 62-year-old Gerald Malloy, is positioning himself as a new alternative to the senior senator.

Malloy, a West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer who spent 22 years in the military, has focused his campaign on economic growth, job creation and securing the border.

The business owner, who also worked as a defense contractor for 16 years, criticized Sanders for his long tenure in Congress and suggested that after 34 years, Sanders is no longer out of touch with the needs of Vermonters.

What issues are Bernie Sanders passionate about?

“I thought Bernie was going to retire,” Malloy said during the debate. “I have 40 years of relevant experience – business, government, military, foreign policy – ​​and I can do better than Bernie.”

Malloy, who opposes tax increases and emphasizes the need to enforce immigration laws, is seeking to win over voters who feel Sanders' focus on domestic and international issues has distracted from the needs of Vermont communities.

As chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Sanders has been a consistent advocate for Medicare for All, raising taxes on the rich, combating climate change through government action and reducing U.S. military involvement abroad.

His opposition to the military-industrial complex and his calls for a fairer tax system have made him a polarizing figure in Washington, but also a figure who continues to have great influence among the Democratic base.

His stance on foreign policy, particularly his criticism of the U.S. role in the war between Israel and Hamas, has set him apart from mainstream Democratic leaders.

Why does Bernie's Sanders reject US military aid to Israel?

Sanders has been vocal in his opposition to U.S. military aid to Israel, a stance that puts him at odds with both the Biden administration and the centrist wing of his party.

After President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in July, Sanders endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, signaling his continued involvement in national politics.

He has often described U.S. elections as pivotal moments for the future of democracy itself and warned of the growing influence of far-right politics, including the threat posed by former President Donald Trump.

Sanders first entered the political arena in the 1980s as mayor of Burlington, Vermont, before serving in the House of Representatives for 16 years.

His rise to national prominence came in 2016 when he nearly secured the Democratic presidential nomination, a feat he nearly repeated in 2020.

Sanders said he had no intention of running again in 2024 but instead chose to support Biden's reelection before Biden withdrew from the race.

While Malloy's candidacy represents a clear challenge to Sanders' decades-long dominance of Vermont politics, the senator's enduring popularity and political influence remain impressive.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press