Ben Cardin

Benjamin Louis "Ben" Cardin (born October 5, 1943) is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. He was the United States Senator from Maryland from 2007 to 2025.

Before his election to the Senate, Cardin, who has never lost an election, was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing  (1987-2007). He also served in the Maryland House of Delegates (1967–87), serving as Speaker (1979–87). He was the youngest Speaker in Maryland history.

Cardin was elected to succeed Paul Sarbanes in the 2006 U.S. Senate election, defeating Republican Michael Steele, the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, by a margin of 54% to 44%. He was re-elected in 2012 with 55% of the vote. 

He became the senior Senator on January 3, 2017 upon Barbara Mikulski's retirement.

In May 2023, Cardin announced he would not run for re-election in 2024.

References

Other websites

 Senator Ben Cardin  official U.S. Senate site
 Ben Cardin for Senate 



Category:1943 births
Category:Living people
Category:Politicians from Baltimore
Category:United States representatives from Maryland
Category:United States senators from Maryland
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians