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.

Ben Cardin
United States Senator from Maryland
In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Paul Sarbanes
Succeeded by	Angela Alsobrooks
Senate positions Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee In office September 27, 2023 – January 3, 2025 Preceded by Bob Menendez Succeeded by Jim Risch Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee In office February 3, 2021 – September 27, 2023 Preceded by Marco Rubio Succeeded by Jeanne Shaheen Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee In office February 6, 2018 – February 3, 2021 Preceded by Jeanne Shaheen Succeeded by Rand Paul In office January 3, 2015 – April 2, 2015 Preceded by Jim Risch Succeeded by Jeanne Shaheen Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee In office April 2, 2015 – February 6, 2018 Preceded by Bob Menendez Succeeded by Bob Menendez
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 3rd district
In office January 3, 1987 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by	Barbara Mikulski
Succeeded by	John Sarbanes
103rd Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates
In office January 6, 1979 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	John Hanson Briscoe
Succeeded by	Clayton Mitchell
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from the 42nd district
In office January 6, 1967 – January 3, 1987
Preceded by	Maurice Cardin
Succeeded by	David Shapiro
Personal details
Born	Benjamin Louis Cardin (1943-10-05) October 5, 1943 (age 82) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Myrna Edelman ​ (m. 1964)​
Children	2
Relatives	Meyer Cardin (father) Maurice Cardin (uncle) Jon Cardin (nephew)
Education	University of Pittsburgh (BA) University of Maryland, Baltimore (JD)
Signature
Website	Senate website

Before his election to the Senate, Cardin, who has never lost an election, was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Maryland's 3rd congressional district (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.^[1]