Source: AP

MONTPELIER – U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders has named two long-time Vermont political aides to key positions in his presidential campaign.

Sanders says Jeff Weaver will be his campaign manager and Phil Fiermonte will be the campaign field director as part of his effort to win the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination.

Weaver is from Franklin County,Vermont. He first began working for Sanders in 1986. He went on to become chief of staff in his Senate office.

Fiermonte, a Derby native, has worked on a number of Sanders’ campaigns over the years. Until recently he was the state director of Sanders’ Vermont Senate office.

Sanders says Weaver and Fiermonte’s “knowledge of grassroots politics and commitment to progressive policies will play a critical role in our campaign.”