Maryland's Ben Cardin says he won't run again in 2024
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced Monday he will not seek re-election in 2024, setting up what could be a heated primary fight in the deep-blue state.
“I am proud of all I have done for Maryland. 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,” the 79-year-old said.
Cardin repped the Old Line State in the House of Representatives for 20 years before he was elected to the Senate in 2006. He is the third Democratic senator to pass on running for re-election in 2024, joining Dianne Feinstein of California and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee jumped on the news, with spokesman Tate Mitchell saying: “Democrats are quickly realizing that the Senate won’t be any fun for them when Republicans retake the majority in 2024.”
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee communications director David Bergstein fired back, vowing: “Democrats have won every statewide federal election in Maryland for the past 40 years, and 2024 will be no different.”
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who rose to prominence for his role on the House select committee investigating last year’s Capitol riot, told Politico in February that he has not ruled out a run but is focused on recovering from cancer.
Cardin served Maryland for more than 50 years in public office. AP
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) announced Monday that he will not seek re-election in 2024. AP
“When people call me, I tell them, ‘Thank you,’” he told the outlet. “But I just got to get through this. And then I’ll be able to think about the future.”
The Maryland progressive announced in December that he was diagnosed with lymphoma, and has taken to wearing a bandanna to hide his hair loss while undergoing chemotherapy.
Moderate Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) could also enter the race, reigniting a Democratic primary battle between himself and Raskin after the two fought for control of the state’s 8th Congressional District.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) has not ruled out a run but is focused on recovering from cancer. REUTERS
Moderate Rep. David Trone (D-Md.) could enter the race, reigniting a Democratic primary battle between himself and Raskin. The Washington Post via Getty Images
Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks and Montgomery County Council at-large member Will Jawando are also weighing a run for the vacated seat, the Washington Post reported.
“Should Sen. Cardin decide to retire after his years of service, I’ve certainly been encouraged to consider ways for me to continue my service, and that’s something I’m thinking about,” Jawando told local outlet Maryland Matters last month.
Cardin won re-election by 29 percentage points in 2012 and 34 points in 2018. Maryland voters last elected a Republican senator in 1980, when Charles Mathias won a third term in office.
(From left) Sen. Dick Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Cardin and Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). AP
On the Republican side, Cardin’s announcement presents another opportunity for former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to seek higher office after turning down the chance to challenge Sen. Chris Van Hollen last cycle.
Cardin, a grandson of Russian-Jewish immigrants, was born and raised in Baltimore and first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1968, going on to serve as one of the youngest speakers in the legislature’s history from 1979 to 1986.
Cardin chairs the Senate Small Business Committee and is the second-ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee and Environment and Public Works Committee.
Source: New York Post
