Bernie Sanders’ son falls well short in New Hampshire congressional primary

Levi Sanders, the son of US Sen. Bernie Sanders, won less than two percent of the vote in a Democratic New Hampshire congressional primary, finishing seventh among the 11 candidates.

Chris Pappas, a former state legislator and current member of the Executive Council that advises New Hampshire’s governor, won Tuesday’s race and would be the state’s first openly gay congressman.

Bernie Sanders declined to endorse his son, saying in a statement released in February when Levi Sanders announced his candidacy that the Sanders family does not “believe in dynastic politics.”

The elder Sanders also said: “I am very proud of Levi’s commitment to public service and his years of work on behalf of low income and working people. Levi will be running his own campaign, in his own way, with his own ideas. The decision as to who to vote for will be determined by the people of New Hampshire’s first district and no one else,” the statement also said.

Levi Sanders’ platform included Medicare for all, free college tuition, a higher minimum wage, addressing the opioid crisis and “sensible” gun legislation. Many of the planks mirrored his father’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Jane Sanders, left, Democratic presidential candidate U.S Senator, Bernie Sanders center, and Levi Sanders 2nd right attend, ‘A Future To Believe In’ GOTV rally concert at Prospect Park in New York City, on April 17, 2016. (Mireya Acierto/FilmMagic)