sanders became a candidate for the seat as an independent, but he lost the election. in 1990, sanders became a candidate for the seat again and defeated peter plympton smith by 16%. sanders became the first independent elected to the u.s. house of representatives in 40 years. sanders' 1990 victory was called by "the washington post" and others as the "first socialist elected" to the united states house of representatives in many years. sanders continued to win re-elections with many votes.