Ben Cardin

Ben Cardin
Born	Benjamin Louis Cardin 10/5/1943
Birthplace	Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Lawyer, politician
Known for	United States Senator from Maryland (2007–2025), Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 3rd district (1987–2007), Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates (1979–1987)
Education	Juris Doctor, University of Maryland School of Law
Spouse(s)	Myrna Edelman Cardin
Awards	Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee

Benjamin Louis Cardin (born October 5, 1943) is an American lawyer and retired politician who served in elected office for 58 consecutive years without ever losing an election — a record that spans the Maryland House of Delegates, the United States House of Representatives, and the United States Senate. A member of the Democratic Party, Cardin represented Maryland in the U.S. Senate from January 3, 2007, to January 3, 2025, succeeding Paul Sarbanes and eventually being succeeded by Angela Alsobrooks. Before entering the Senate, he served as the U.S. representative for Maryland's 3rd congressional district from 1987 to 2007. Earlier in his career, Cardin served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967 to 1987, rising to the position of Speaker in 1979, a role he held for eight years. During his time in the Senate, Cardin chaired the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and was an advocate for human rights, environmental protection, and health care policy. Following his retirement from the Senate in January 2025, Cardin joined Johns Hopkins University as a Distinguished Senior Fellow.

Early Life

Benjamin Louis Cardin was born on October 5, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was raised in a family with deep roots in Maryland politics and public service. The Cardin family had a tradition of civic engagement in Baltimore's Jewish community, and young Ben grew up in an environment that valued public service and community involvement.

Cardin's early life in Baltimore shaped his later political identity and his focus on issues affecting working families, urban communities, and the state of Maryland. Baltimore would remain at the center of his personal and professional life throughout his decades-long political career, and he maintained his residence in the city even as he served in Washington, D.C.

His family's influence on his entry into politics was significant. Cardin entered the Maryland House of Delegates at the age of 23 in 1967, making him one of the youngest members of the state legislature at the time. This early start in politics would set the stage for what became one of the longest continuous careers in elected office in Maryland history.

Education

Cardin attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned his undergraduate degree. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Maryland School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctor degree. His legal education provided the foundation for his work on tax policy, health care, and government reform during his legislative career. Cardin was admitted to the Maryland Bar and practiced law before his political career consumed the majority of his professional life.

Career

Maryland House of Delegates (1967–1987)

Cardin began his political career in 1967 when he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, representing the Baltimore area. He was just 23 years old at the time of his first election, beginning what would become an unbroken 58-year streak of electoral victories.

During his two decades in the Maryland House of Delegates, Cardin rose rapidly through the ranks. In 1979, at the age of 35, he was elected Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, a position he held until 1987. As Speaker, Cardin was the presiding officer of the lower chamber of the Maryland General Assembly and wielded significant influence over state legislation. His tenure as Speaker was marked by a focus on fiscal responsibility and government reform.

Cardin's eight years as Speaker of the House of Delegates gave him extensive experience in legislative leadership and coalition-building, skills that would serve him throughout his subsequent career in the U.S. Congress. His ability to navigate the complexities of state politics and maintain broad support among his colleagues was a hallmark of his time in Annapolis.

U.S. House of Representatives (1987–2007)

In 1986, Cardin ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in Maryland's 3rd congressional district, which encompassed much of Baltimore and portions of the surrounding suburbs. He won the election and took office on January 3, 1987, beginning a 20-year tenure in the House.

During his time in the House of Representatives, Cardin served on several committees and became known for his work on tax policy, health care, trade, and retirement security. He was a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, one of the most powerful committees in the House, which has jurisdiction over tax legislation, trade agreements, Social Security, Medicare, and other entitlement programs.

Cardin was a consistent advocate for expanding access to health care and strengthening the social safety net. He also focused on environmental issues, particularly those affecting the Chesapeake Bay, which is central to Maryland's economy, ecology, and cultural identity. His legislative work on Chesapeake Bay restoration and protection was a recurring theme throughout his career in both the House and the Senate.

In his final term in the House, Cardin participated in significant votes on major legislation. Roll call records from 2006 document his participation in key House votes during the 109th Congress.

2006 Senate Election

In 2006, Cardin ran for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Paul Sarbanes, who had served as Maryland's junior senator since 1977. The race attracted national attention as one of the competitive contests of the 2006 midterm election cycle. Cardin won the Democratic primary and faced Republican Michael Steele, who was then serving as Lieutenant Governor of Maryland under Governor Robert Ehrlich.

The general election was closely watched, as Steele was considered a strong candidate who could potentially win in a traditionally Democratic state. However, Cardin prevailed in the November 2006 election, winning the seat and continuing his undefeated electoral record.

U.S. Senate (2007–2025)

Cardin took office as a United States Senator from Maryland on January 3, 2007. He was reelected in 2012 and again in 2018, each time winning by substantial margins. Upon the retirement of Barbara Mikulski on January 3, 2017, Cardin became Maryland's senior U.S. senator.

During his 18 years in the Senate, Cardin held several significant committee leadership positions. He served as the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from April 2, 2015, to February 6, 2018, succeeding Bob Menendez in that role. He later served as the Ranking Member and then Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He was the committee's ranking member from February 6, 2018, to February 3, 2021, and then became its chair from February 3, 2021, to September 27, 2023, succeeding Marco Rubio.

In September 2023, Cardin assumed the chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after Bob Menendez stepped down from the position amid federal corruption charges. Cardin served as chair of this committee — one of the most influential in the Senate, with jurisdiction over foreign policy, treaties, and international agreements — from September 27, 2023, until his retirement on January 3, 2025. He was succeeded in the chairmanship by Jim Risch.

Legislative Work

Throughout his Senate tenure, Cardin was involved in a wide range of legislative initiatives. He was a co-sponsor and advocate for numerous bills across multiple policy areas, including health care, environmental protection, human rights, tax policy, and small business support.

Cardin was an active participant in legislation during the 113th Congress, including Senate Bill 2922 and related measures. He also worked on legislation during the 114th Congress.

During the 111th Congress, Cardin was involved in Senate Bill 3804, which addressed issues within his areas of legislative focus.

Human Rights Advocacy

One of Cardin's signature issues during his Senate career was international human rights. As a senior member and eventually chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he used his position to advocate for human rights protections around the world. He was involved in efforts related to the Magnitsky Act and broader legislation aimed at holding human rights abusers accountable through targeted sanctions.

Cardin also served as a commissioner and leader of the U.S. Helsinki Commission (formally the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe), where he worked on issues related to democracy, rule of law, and human rights in the participating states of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.

Environmental Policy

Environmental protection, particularly the restoration and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay, remained a central issue for Cardin throughout his Senate career, as it had been during his time in the House. He advocated for federal funding and regulatory protections for the Bay, which is the largest estuary in the United States and a defining natural feature of Maryland.

Voting Record

Cardin's voting record in the Senate was consistent with mainstream Democratic positions. The National Journal's annual vote ratings placed him squarely within the Democratic mainstream during his tenure. The Baltimore Sun reported that Cardin and Paul Sarbanes received high marks from various rating organizations for their congressional service.

Decision Not to Seek Reelection

Cardin announced that he would not seek reelection to a fourth Senate term in 2024. He retired from the Senate on January 3, 2025, and was succeeded by Angela Alsobrooks, who won the 2024 Maryland Senate election. At the time of his retirement, Cardin had served 58 consecutive years in elected office — 20 years in the Maryland House of Delegates, 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, and 18 years in the U.S. Senate — without ever losing an election.

Post-Senate Career

Following his retirement from the Senate, Cardin transitioned to academic and advisory roles. In January 2026, he joined Johns Hopkins University as a Distinguished Senior Fellow, with a joint appointment at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute and the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). In this role, Cardin participates in seminars, mentors students, and contributes to research and public programming on governance, foreign policy, and civic engagement.

In July 2025, Cardin donated his legislative and political papers to Johns Hopkins University's Sheridan Libraries and University Museums, ensuring that the documentary record of his 58-year career would be preserved and made accessible to researchers and the public.

In September 2025, Towson University announced the launch of the Ben and Myrna Cardin Center, a hub focusing on fostering respectful dialogue and advancing civil discourse. The center, named in honor of Cardin and his wife Myrna, reflects the couple's commitment to civic engagement and public dialogue.

Personal Life

Ben Cardin is married to Myrna Edelman Cardin. The couple has maintained their home in Baltimore throughout Cardin's career in public service. Myrna Cardin has been involved in civic and community activities in Maryland, and the couple's shared commitment to public engagement was recognized through the naming of the Ben and Myrna Cardin Center at Towson University in 2025.

Cardin is Jewish and has been an active member of the Baltimore Jewish community throughout his life. His family's tradition of civic engagement extends across multiple generations in the Baltimore area.

Throughout his career, Cardin maintained close ties to Baltimore and to the broader Maryland community, consistently emphasizing his identity as a Marylander and his connection to the state's residents and institutions. His decision to donate his papers to Johns Hopkins University, a Baltimore-based institution, and to take on a fellowship there following his retirement underscored these enduring ties.

Recognition

During his 58 years in elected office, Cardin received recognition from numerous organizations for his legislative work and public service. He received high marks from various congressional rating organizations for his service in both the House and Senate.

His appointment as Distinguished Senior Fellow at Johns Hopkins University in 2026 reflected the recognition of his expertise in governance, foreign policy, and legislative process by one of the nation's leading research universities.

The establishment of the Ben and Myrna Cardin Center at Towson University in 2025 honored both Cardin and his wife for their contributions to civic life and their advocacy for civil discourse and constructive public dialogue.

Cardin's profile in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress documents his service across three levels of elected office, noting his progression from state delegate to U.S. representative to U.S. senator. The National Journal's Almanac of American Politics included detailed profiles of his career and legislative record.

Legacy

Ben Cardin's 58-year career in elected office represents one of the longest continuous tenures in modern American political history. His progression from the Maryland House of Delegates to the Speaker's chair, and then to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, demonstrated sustained electoral appeal across multiple levels of government. He never lost an election throughout this period.

As Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during the final 15 months of his Senate career, Cardin oversaw U.S. foreign policy deliberations at a time of significant international challenges. His earlier work as Ranking Member and then Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee reflected his interest in economic policy and support for small enterprises.

Cardin's focus on the Chesapeake Bay, human rights, and health care policy defined his legislative identity across his decades in Congress. His work on the Helsinki Commission and on human rights legislation gave him an international profile that complemented his domestic policy portfolio.

The preservation of his political papers at Johns Hopkins University ensures that scholars and the public will have access to the documentary record of his career for future research and study. His post-retirement roles at Johns Hopkins and the naming of the Cardin Center at Towson University suggest a continued engagement with public life through academic and civic channels.

In a 2025 interview, Cardin reflected on his career, expressing pride in what he accomplished during his years of public service.