Bernie and Jane Sanders agreed on a presidential run over a meal at Denny's

An anecdote from Mrs. Sanders.
(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Bernie Sanders' wife, Jane, has been by his side since they met at his 1981 inauguration as mayor of Burlington, Vermont. She worked for him in various capacities as he climbed his way to the Senate, helping him draft bills and handle the press.

But she wasn't sold on a presidential bid — at least not at first.

"It's not worth taking away the time from our family and the very important work in the Senate unless you can possibly win, unless you have a chance of winning," she told The Washington Post of her thought process.

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What finally won Mrs. Sanders over was a meal with Bernie at Denny's. She gave him her blessing after watching a veteran come over to thank him and offer to support him should he run for president.

Now that her husband's presidential campaign is in full swing, Jane Sanders is still an integral part of her husband's political career.

"We do not put any TV ads on without Jane seeing it," Bernie Sanders said.

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Julie Kliegman

Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.