Co-founder of political party that launched Sanders dies

DUMMERSTON, Vt. (AP) — Political activist Peter Diamondstone, who helped found the Vermont political party that first launched Bernie Sanders for office in the 1970s, has died at age 82.

Diamondstone, a perennial political candidate and the co-founder in 1970 of the anti-war Liberty Union Party, defined as a nonviolent socialist party, died Wednesday, his daughter said.

"Peter's life of service in the struggle to protect human rights and our nation's Constitution began at an early age and continued through his last weeks," his family said.

Diamondstone frequently ran for office in Vermont.