Bernie Sanders was re-elected to the US Senate after defeating his Republican opponent

A stark difference between two candidates

At a debate two weeks ago hosted by Vermont Public and VTDigger, the two candidates took starkly different stances on key issues, including inflation, climate change and the national debt.

On inflation, Malloy blamed the government's “massive overspending,” saying it had driven up prices, particularly for food. Sanders argued that corporate greed and supply chain problems were the main drivers, citing high profits in the food industry at the expense of consumers.

Climate change brought further divisions, with Sanders emphasizing urgent action and pointing to his own renewable energy legislation. He warned that a Republican-led Congress could hamper progress. Malloy acknowledged climate change but advocated for market-based solutions rather than government mandates and emphasized the need for U.S. energy independence.