Vermont was admitted to the Union on March 4, 1791. From the 1850s until well into the 20th century, Vermont was always represented by members of the Republican Party. Its current United States senators are Democrat Patrick Leahy and Independent Bernie Sanders. Leahy is the only Democrat ever elected to the Senate from Vermont, making Vermont the state with the longest current split senate delegation as well as the longest split delegation in history at 46 years currently, though both Independents, Jim Jeffords and Sanders, have caucused with the Senate Democrats since 2001. Vermont holds the distinction of being the only state to simultaneously have a split delegation and have both senators be a member of the same caucus. Having been in office since 1975, Leahy is currently the most senio