Maryland Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) this week announced he will retire after over 58 years in elected office, including serving as U.S. Senator since 2007.
Cardin, who was up for reelection in 2024, now with his retirement announcement sets up a contested election that could be influential in control of the Senate, was first elected to public office in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1966 while still in law school.
After rising to Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates by 1979, Cardin then sought federal office. He won election to represent Maryland’s 3rd district in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987, holding that seat until his successful bid for the U.S. Senate seat in Maryland.
Cardin has served as chair of the Senate Small Business Committee and Ranking Member of the same committee as well as the Foreign Relations Committee from 2015-2018. Cardin has also been a member of the Senate Chicken Caucus.
The retirement announcement now sets up a contested primary and general elections, with Rep. David Trone (D, MD-6), the founder of Total Wine & More, already announcing his bid for the seat.
