When you think of Bernie Sanders, you probably picture the wild white hair, the Vermont landscape, and maybe those iconic mittens from the 2021 inauguration. He’s the face of a movement, the "Bernie" that millions feel they know personally. But when the cameras turn off, there's a real family there. It's funny because people often ask, does Bernie Sanders have a son, as if the senator exists only in a political vacuum.
Honestly, he does. He has one biological son, Levi Sanders.
But it’s not just a simple "yes" or "no" answer because the Sanders family tree is a bit more of a forest. It’s a blend of biological ties, deep-rooted step-relationships, and a philosophy that family isn't just about DNA. If you’ve ever wondered why Levi isn't exactly a household name compared to his dad, or how the other kids fit in, you've come to the right place.
The Story of Levi Sanders: Bernie’s Only Biological Son
Levi Sanders was born in 1969. That was a pretty different era for Bernie, long before he was a national icon or even the Mayor of Burlington. At the time, Bernie was living in Vermont with Levi's mother, Susan Campbell Mott.
The two were never married, which was actually a point of confusion for the media for years. In fact, back in the early '80s, some news outlets incorrectly reported that Levi was the son of Bernie’s first wife, Deborah Shilling. Bernie didn't really bother correcting the record for a long time—he’s always been pretty private about the personal stuff.
Levi is an interesting guy. Growing up, he didn't call Bernie "Dad." He called him "Bernard" or "Bernie."
"Even when I was six years old, I thought [calling him Dad] was childish," Levi once told People. "He was a friend, not an authoritarian."
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That says a lot about the vibe in the Sanders household. It was less "Father Knows Best" and more of a peer-to-peer relationship built on shared values.
What does Levi do for a living?
He didn't just ride his father's coat-tails into a high-paying lobbyist job. For over two decades, Levi has worked as a social security and benefits specialist. Basically, he helps people whose claims for benefits have been denied. It's the kind of gritty, behind-the-scenes advocacy that mirrors his father’s "fight for the working class" rhetoric, just without the podium and the C-SPAN cameras.
He also spent some time working as a senior policy strategist for his father's 2016 presidential campaign. If you saw those massive rallies in New Hampshire, there’s a good chance Levi was somewhere in the wings making sure things ran smoothly.
The 2018 Run for Congress
In 2018, Levi decided to step into the spotlight himself. He ran for the Democratic nomination in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District.
It was... complicated.
He didn't actually live in the district he was running for (though he lived in the state), which led to some "carpetbagger" accusations from critics. More surprisingly, Bernie didn't officially endorse him. The Senator put out a statement saying he was "very proud" of Levi but insisted that "Levi will be running his own campaign, in his own way."
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It was a classic Bernie move—leaning into the idea that nobody is entitled to a seat just because of their name. Levi ended up losing the primary, finishing seventh in a crowded field. Since then, he’s mostly stepped back from the public political arena.
The "No Halves or Steps" Family Philosophy
If you look at the official Senate bio for Bernie Sanders, it says he has four children. This is where the answer to does Bernie Sanders have a son gets more inclusive.
When Bernie married Jane O’Meara in 1988, he didn't just get a wife; he got a whole family. Jane had three children from her previous marriage:
- Heather Titus
- Carina Driscoll
- David Driscoll
Bernie eventually adopted them. In the Sanders household, the terms "stepson" or "half-brother" aren't really a thing. Jane has gone on record saying there are "no halves or steps" in their family. They’re all just the kids.
Meet David Driscoll
David is the other son in the picture. He’s lived a largely private life compared to his sisters, but he has been heavily involved in the family's legacy. He previously worked for a snowboard manufacturer in Burlington (very Vermont, right?) and later became the executive director of The Sanders Institute, a think tank founded by Jane to promote progressive ideas.
Where is the family now?
The Sanders family is actually pretty huge now. Between the four children, Bernie and Jane have seven grandchildren. You’ll sometimes see them at the big events, like when Bernie announces a presidential run or during the holidays, but for the most part, they stay out of the tabloid cycle.
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Levi lives in New Hampshire with his wife, Raine Riggs, who is a clinical psychologist. They have three children of their own, all of whom were adopted from China. It’s a very modern, blended, and globally-minded family.
Key Takeaways for the Curious
If you’re trying to keep the facts straight, here’s the quick rundown of what you need to know about Bernie’s kids:
- Biological Son: Levi Sanders (born 1969 to Susan Campbell Mott).
- Adopted Son: David Driscoll (Jane’s son from her first marriage).
- Daughters: Heather Titus and Carina Driscoll (both Jane’s biological daughters, Bernie’s adopted daughters).
- The Vibe: They are extremely private. Don't expect a Kardashian-style reality show anytime soon.
- Politics: While Carina and Levi have both run for office, they generally try to build their own identities separate from "The Bern."
Basically, if you were looking for some scandalous "secret son" story, you won't find it here. The reality is just a guy who grew up in the shadow of a political giant, tried his hand at the family business, and then went back to the quiet work of helping people navigate the legal system.
If you want to understand the man behind the mittens, looking at how he raised his kids—as friends and equals rather than subordinates—gives you a much better picture than any stump speech ever could.
Next Steps for You:
If you're interested in how the Sanders family values translate into policy, you can look into the work of The Sanders Institute. It's the best place to see what David and Jane are actually doing to keep the "political revolution" alive through data and research. Also, checking out local Vermont news archives from the 1980s gives a great look at the early, scrappy days when Levi was just a kid holding a microphone for his dad in the snow.