Is Bernie Sanders seeking a spot in Biden administration?

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is hoping to be a part of Joe Biden’s administration if he is elected, according to sources inside the campaigns.

Politico reports that two people familiar with conversations between Sanders and the Biden campaign, say that Sanders is angling to become the Labor secretary, Sanders wouldn’t confirm or deny the report.

Sander’s wife, Jane, also wouldn’t confirm the report to WCAX. “The senator has been urging Biden to put progressives in his cabinet, but he is focused on helping Biden win the presidency and winning Democratic control of the Senate now. Any future decisions on Senate chairmanships or potential Cabinet positions will be based on how he believes he can best serve Vermonters and the nation,” Jane Sanders said in a statement to WCAX.

We asked Phil Scott and David Zuckerman who they would send to Washington if Sanders leaves the Senate to work for the Biden administration.

“I’ve been really clear for months now that I would appoint someone in line with our current Senator who would caucus with the Democrats and would represent Vermont the way that Bernie has,” Zuckerman said.

“In this case, again, Senator Sanders has caucused with the Democrats. I would anticipate I would look for the same. For a little more or left leaning type of Independent that would obviously caucus with the Democrats,” Scott said.

The appointment would be temporary. The governor is required by state law to set a special election within six months of a vacancy so that ultimately the people decide who fills the rest of the term when a sitting lawmaker gives up their seat.

Scott and Zuckerman disagree on one major issue -- whether the person they appoint should run for the seat in the next election. Scott says no and Zuckerman says he would be fine with that.

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