New Hampshire primary: Bernie Sanders’ son Levi loses bid in congressional election

The younger Sanders was not endorsed by his father

Levi Sanders (REUTERS/Lucas Jackson)

Levi Sanders, son of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, has lost his bid in New Hampshire’s congressional primary on Tuesday.

The younger Sanders was one of the 11 Democratic candidates vying for the nomination for the state’s 1st Congressional District. The current Democrat in the seat, Representative Carol Shea-Porter, is retiring.

Chris Pappas, a state executive councillor, won the race for the Democrat nomination.

If Mr Pappas wins the seat in November, he will become New Hampshire’s first openly gay congressman. Mr Pappas’ Republican opponent, Eddie Edwards, would become the state’s first African-American congressman if elected.

The elder Sanders did not endorse Levi Sanders in his bid for a seat in the US House, The New York Times reported.

“Levi has spent his life in public service to low income and working families, and I am very proud of all that he has done,” Bernie Sanders said a statement earlier this year. ”In our family, however, we do not believe in dynastic politics. Levi is running his own campaign in his own way.“

Levi Sanders lives in Claremont, New Hampshire, outside of the state’s 1st Congressional District where he ran.

He has had a career working in legal services specialising in Social Security Disability Income and Supplemental Security Income, according to his LinkedIn page. Levi Sanders also worked on his father’s 2016 presidential campaign.

According to the Times, Levi Sanders addressed his father’s decision to not endorse him saying he was taught to stand up on his own.

“He’s always believed, ever since I was little, that I have to stand up on my own,” he said.