Senator Ben Cardin announced that he will not seek re-election in 2024. Currently 79 years old, he reached the Upper House in 2007 after spending twenty years in the House of Representatives and many years serving in his local legislature. Maryland Democrats covet his seat, so there will be stiff competition to succeed him.
Cardin communicated his decision in a press release and subsequent video in which he said he was proud of his work for his constituents. "I have given my heart and soul to our great state, and I thank Marylanders for trusting me as your representative for all these years. My profound thanks also to the most dedicated staff in all of Congress, many of whom have spent all or most of their career serving alongside me," he wrote.
At the same time, he stressed that "there is still much work to be done." He mentioned some examples of what he will try to achieve before his term expires in January 2025. "My top priorities include continuing our progress for the Chesapeake Bay, helping the people of Baltimore City deal with the challenges they face, and permanently expanding opportunities for telehealth, mental and behavioral health," the senator continued.
Since the Democrats regained control of the Senate in 2021, Cardin has chaired the Small Business Committee. In addition, Chuck Schumer sought to temporarily appoint him to the Senate Judiciary on the Senate Judiciary Committee to replace Dianne Feinstein (D-CA).
Cardin first came to Congress in 1987, when he was elected to represent the Old Line State's 3rd District in the House of Representatives. While there, he worked primarily on retirement plans, tax policy and public health care for the elderly. He was one of the 133 congressmen who voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.
The Cardin seat is very tempting
The distance between Maryland and Washington, DC, is about 43 miles, which makes it very tempting due to its proximity. Not many US senators can afford to drive to work. The competition for his seat is expected to be quite crowded, even more so with the precedent of 2016.
That year, Senator Barbara Mikulski did not run for re-election and ten Democrats battled in the primary to become the nominee. In the end, Chris Van Hollen emerged victorious after winning with 53% of the votes. In the general election, he easily defeated Republican Kathy Szeliga and has since represented his state in the Senate alongside Cardin.
"Senator Cardin has spent more than five decades helping Marylanders from the state house - as the youngest speaker in our state's history at the time - to the halls of Congress, now as chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee," Van Hollen said of his colleague's work.
For now, Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and current House member David Trone are expected to enter the race in the coming months. Both began working on their candidacies even before Cardin's announcement. Alsobrooks has already hired Dave Chase, Tim Ryan's 2022 campaign manager, to manage his candidacy. Dan Morrocco, who managed the Connecticut governor's re-election bid, is expected to do the same for Trone's campaign.
The other possible candidates are local Representative Jamie Raskin and Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando.
