Bernard Sanders is the former mayor of Burlington, Vermont and is the only socialist mayor in the United States. He was first elected in March 1981 and was re-elected to his 4th term in March 1987, which ended in April 1989. Before becoming mayor, Mr. Sanders was a freelance writer, youth counselor, carpenter, and director of the American People's History Society where he authored filmstrips and articles on social, historical and political subjects. He was a candidate for Governor of Vermont in 1972 and 1976, for the U.S. Senate in 1971 and 1974, and a recent Independent candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.