sanders was elected mayor of burlington, vermont in 1981. he was re-elected three times. in 1991, he became a united states representative for vermont's at-large congressional district. he was a congressman for 16 years. in 2006, he was elected to the u.s. senate after he won 64.5% of the vote. in 2012, he was re-elected by winning almost 71% of the vote. in 2018, he was re-elected by winning nearly 68% of the vote.