Is Jane Sanders the most powerful woman not running in 2020?

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In this March 3, 2019, file photo, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, and his wife, Jane Sanders, greet supporters as they leave after his 2020 presidential campaign stop at Navy Pier in Chicago. Bernie Sanders’ revolution is Jane Sanders’ career. And her political and business activities have at times been his headache. His closest adviser, she is perhaps the most influential woman in the 2020 campaign who isn’t a candidate. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

By STEPHEN BRAUN, WILSON RING and STEVE PEOPLES Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — During Bernie Sanders’ long political career, Jane Sanders has served variously as her husband’s media consultant, surrogate, fundraiser, chief of staff, campaign spokeswoman and top strategist.

His political revolution has become her career. And her political and business activities have, at times, become his headache.

As the Vermont senator undertakes his second presidential run and scrambles his inner circle, Jane Sanders remains his closest adviser. She’s perhaps the most influential woman in the 2020 campaign who isn’t a candidate.

A Bernie Sanders adviser says that “at every level, Jane is intimately involved.”

That involvement has drawn questions sometimes about her political judgment, about family opportunism and about her ethics.