Sen. Ben Cardin

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D Maryland (2007-) In Office

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Biographical

Full Name: Benjamin Louis Cardin
Gender: Male
Pronunciation: ben KAR-din
Date of Birth: Oct. 5, 1943 (age: 80)
Place of Birth: Baltimore, Md.
Religion: Jewish
Hometown: Baltimore, Md.
Place of Residence: Baltimore, Md.
Occupation: Attorney

Wikipedia

Official biography

Family:

Married: Myrna Edelman Cardin educator, Nov. 24, 1964

2 children: Deborah , Michael (deceased)

Relations with people in our database:

Uncle of Jon S. Cardin

Biography:

A third-generation Marylander, Ben Cardin has been a national leader on health care, retirement security, the environment and fiscal issues while representing the people of Maryland in the U.S. Senate, and before that in the House of Representatives.

Senator Cardin is a leading advocate for the Chesapeake Bay, which is the economic, historical and cultural heart of Maryland. Nationally, he is a champion of protecting our clean air and clean water. He has introduced legislation to restore the health of America’s great water bodies and is the leading proponent of investing in improvements to America’s aging water infrastructure system while preparing it for the impacts of climate change. His commitment to reduce pollution and protect our environment fuels his work to broaden investments in safe public transit, as well as walking and bike trails.

Senator Cardin has a deep interest in foreign affairs and has worked across party lines to further our national security and protect universal human rights. He has fought to ensure that anti-corruption, transparency and respect for human rights are integrated our foreign policy. In 2015, he was named as the Special Representative on Anti-Semitism, Racism, and Intolerance for the 57-nation Organization Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly.

Senator Cardin has been responsible for the extension of increased guarantees and reduced fees in the Small Business Administration’s two largest loan programs. Serving as Ranking Member at the start of the 114th Congress, he has been working to find better ways to provide access to credit for qualified small businesses and entrepreneurs, as well as expanding access to contracts for women-owned, minority owned and veteran-owned businesses. He consistently is urging federal agencies to take all steps possible to meet or exceed their modest small business contracting goals. He also has been a strong defender of the federal workforce and has fought to end the harmful effects of sequestration.

Senator Cardin believes access to quality, affordable health care should be a right and not a privilege. He continues to be a strong supporter of the Affordable Care Act, which has brought the United States closer to this goal. He led the fight for the Patients’ Bill of Rights and, because of his efforts, the law ensures that individuals in private health insurance plans have the right to choose their primary care provider, women have direct access to an ob/gyn, and patients with medical emergencies are guaranteed coverage for necessary ER visits. He was responsible for the elevation of the National Institute for Minority Health Disparities at the National Institutes of Health and has been a strong supporter of increases in funding for federally qualified health care centers and health information technology. Senator Cardin continues to be a leading champion for increased medical research funding for Maryland's world-class universities, NIH, and our State's cutting edge biotech industry.

One of Senator Cardin’s proudest accomplishments was leading the fight to guarantee access to dental care for children in the Children’s Health Insurance Program, following the tragic loss of a 12-year-old Prince George’s County boy who died after complications that followed an untreated tooth infection.

Senator Cardin also has developed a reputation for defending civil rights at home and has sought to find a balance between protection of civil liberties and national security. He is the lead sponsors of legislation to prohibit racial profiling by all levels of law enforcement, restore voting rights for former felons, and remove the deadline for ratification of the Equal Right Amendment. He has been a proud cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

From 1987-2006, Ben Cardin represented Maryland's Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives and served for 17 years on the Ways & Means Committee. He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967-1986. During his time as Speaker from 1979-1986, he reformed Maryland's property tax system, the school financing formula and the ethical standards for elected officials.

A 1967 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Law (1st in his class), he earned his B.A. degree in 1964 from the University of Pittsburgh (cum laude). He is a member of the U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors, the Johns Hopkins University Institute for Policy Studies’ National Advisory Board and the St. Mary’s College Advisory Board, Center for Study of Democracy.

Senator Cardin is married to Myrna Edelman Cardin, and they have one daughter, Deborah. See more >>

Miscellaneous Links:

Ballotpedia

C-SPAN

GovTrack

Project VoteSmart

Campaign Links:

Website, campaign

Email, campaign: info@bencardin.com

X (Twitter), campaign

Facebook, campaign

Open Secrets political finance profile

YouTube, campaign

Social Networking:

Facebook, official

X (Twitter), official

YouTube, official

Instagram, official

Flickr, official

Official Links:

Website, official

Press Releases

Official press releases »

Education

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law - JD (1967)

Activities and notes: Valedictorian
University of Pittsburgh - BA, cum laude (1964)
Baltimore (Md.) City College High School - Diploma (1961)

Greek Organizations:

Pi Lambda Phi

Office History

Congressional Offices:

U.S. Senate (Jan. 3, 2007-) In Office

Member, U.S. Senator for Maryland
U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 1987-Jan. 2, 2007) Ran for Senate

Member, 3rd Congressional District of Maryland

State Legislature Offices:

Maryland House of Delegates (1967-1987)

D Delegate, District 42A

State Leadership Positions:

Maryland House of Delegates
(Jan. 1979-Jan. 1987)

Speaker

Election Results

2019 (Nov. 6, 2018 election)

U.S. Senate Seat for Maryland (Class 1)

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 64.86%
Democrat

Antonio Wade Campbell (Tony), 30.31%
Republican

Neal Simon, 3.74%
Non-designated

Arvin Vohra, 1.00%
Libertarian
2013 (Nov. 6, 2012 election)

U.S. Senate Seat for Maryland (Class 1)

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 55.98%
Democrat

Daniel John Bongino, 26.33%
Republican

S. Rob Sobhani, 16.37%
Non-designated

Dean Ahmad, 1.22%
Libertarian
2007 (Nov. 7, 2006 election)

U.S. Senate Seat for Maryland (Class 1)

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 54.21%
Democrat

Michael Stephen Steele, 44.20%
Republican

Kevin Zeese, 1.55%
Green
2005 (Nov. 2, 2004 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 63.44%
Democrat

Robert P Duckworth, 33.80%
Republican

Patsy Allen, 2.75%
Green
2003 (Nov. 5, 2002 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 65.79%
Democrat

Scott Conwell, 34.21%
Republican
2001 (Nov. 7, 2000 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 75.66%
Democrat

Colin Harby, 24.05%
Republican
1999 (Nov. 3, 1998 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 77.61%
Democrat

Colin Felix Harby, 22.39%
Republican
1997 (Nov. 5, 1996 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 67.31%
Democrat

Patrick L Mcdonough, 32.69%
Republican
1995 (Nov. 8, 1994 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 70.97%
Democrat

Robert Ryan Tousey, 29.03%
Republican
1993 (Nov. 3, 1992 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 73.51%
Democrat

William T S Bricker, 26.49%
Republican
1991 (Nov. 6, 1990 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 69.73%
Democrat

Harwood Nichols, 30.27%
Republican
1989 (Nov. 8, 1988 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 72.90%
Democrat

Ross Z Pierpont, 27.10%
Republican
1987 (Nov. 4, 1986 election)

3rd Congressional District of Maryland

Benjamin Louis Cardin (Ben), 79.11%
Democrat

Ross Z Pierpont, 20.89%
Republican

Associated Organizations

Board membership:

Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute
Advisory Board Member, National Angels in Adoption Leadership Program
James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation
Trustee
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Member, President's Advisory Board
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Member, Board of Visitors
U.S. Naval Academy Board of Visitors
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council (March 2018-)
Trustee

Election campaign:

Ben Cardin for Senate Inc. (Maryland)

Own leadership PAC:

LEGPAC

Bar membership:

Maryland State Bar (1967-)

Awards

Congressional Bone Health Champion Award (Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation) (Dec. 2021)
Friend of Farm Bureau Award (American Farm Bureau Federation) (Dec. 2021)
Spirit of Enterprise Award (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) (June 2020)
Distinguished Community Health Defender Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2019)
Distinguished Community Health Defender Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2018)
Order of the Star of Romania (Government of Romania) (June 2017)
Distinguished Community Health Champion Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2017)
Hero of Main Street (National Retail Federation) (Oct. 2016)
Champions of the Endangered Species Act (Animal Welfare Institute) (Nov. 2013)
Spirit of Defenders Public Service Award (Defenders of Wildlife) (2012)
Dr. Nathan Davis Award (American Medical Association) (1999)
Arthur W. Machen Jr. Award (Maryland Legal Services Corp.) (1998)

Official Signature

Contact Information

Email, member official contact form

Office Addresses:

Main Office:

Address:	509 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510-2002
Phone:	202-224-4524
Fax:	202-224-1651

View Larger Map

» District Offices

Privately Financed Travel

15 trips taken between 2000 - 2015 costing $47,799

See map of trips

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

» see more

Personal Financial Disclosures

Disclosures as a member:

Annual: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2008 (Amendment), 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003
Extension Letter: 2020
Stock transaction: 05/02/2018, 03/14/2015, 12/01/2014, 11/29/2014, 04/15/2014, 05/01/2014 (Amendment), 10/16/2013, 02/13/2013, 01/04/2013, 11/09/2012, 10/11/2012, 07/25/2012
» see more

Foreign Gifts

5/27/2009: Transportation within Montenegro and lunch from Montenegro

» See more

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Turnover Index: 0.18
(House Average: 0.22)
» See more

Staff Salary Rate:

Office Median Annual Salary: $80,493.89
» See more

Staff Salaries Paid:

By Fiscal Year
By Calendar Year
By Quarter

» See full staffer list

» view all salaries

Committees

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Safety Subcommittee

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Fisheries, Water and Wildlife Subcommittee

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee

Senate Finance Committee

Senate Finance Committee Health Care Subcommittee, Chair

Senate Finance Committee International Trade, Customs and Global Competitiveness Subcommittee

Senate Finance Committee Taxation and IRS Oversight Subcommittee

Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chair

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Africa and Global Health Policy Subcommittee, Ex Officio

Senate Foreign Relations Committee East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy Subcommittee, Ex Officio

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Europe and Regional Security Cooperation Subcommittee, Ex Officio

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions and International Economic, Energy and Environmental Policy Subcommittee, Ex Officio

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Near East, South Asia, Central Asia and Counterterrorism Subcommittee, Ex Officio

Senate Foreign Relations Committee State Department and USAID Management, International Operations and Bilateral International Development Subcommittee, Chair

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights and Global Women's Issues Subcommittee, Ex Officio

Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

Caucuses

Caught Our Eye

GOP hires flurry of former lobbyists to Hill offices this year

Posted by Jenna Ebersole on Aug. 3, 2015
Republican members of Congress are picking up more former lobbyists this year than in any year since 2011 after their last mid-term election success. read more
Cardin staffer moves off Hill to lobby for Navy

Posted by LegiStorm on Oct. 8, 2014
A former staffer for Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) has officially registered to lobby on issues affecting the U.S. Navy. read more
Posted by Garrett Snedeker on Oct. 16, 2012
A former aide to Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) is now handling congressional affairs for a trade association focused on retirement planning. read more

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In the News

Sen. Ben Cardin

Biographical

Family:

Relations with people in our database:

Biography:

Miscellaneous Links:

Campaign Links:

Social Networking:

Official Links:

Press Releases

Education

Greek Organizations:

Office History

Election Results

2019 (Nov. 6, 2018 election)

2013 (Nov. 6, 2012 election)

2007 (Nov. 7, 2006 election)

2005 (Nov. 2, 2004 election)

2003 (Nov. 5, 2002 election)

2001 (Nov. 7, 2000 election)

1999 (Nov. 3, 1998 election)

1997 (Nov. 5, 1996 election)

1995 (Nov. 8, 1994 election)

1993 (Nov. 3, 1992 election)

1991 (Nov. 6, 1990 election)

1989 (Nov. 8, 1988 election)

1987 (Nov. 4, 1986 election)

Associated Organizations

Awards

Official Signature

Contact Information

Privately Financed Travel

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

Personal Financial Disclosures

Foreign Gifts

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Staff Salary Rate:

Staff Salaries Paid:

Committees

Caucuses

Caught Our Eye