It’s the end of an era for Maryland’s Jewish political scene. After 36 years in Congress, Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.) announced May 1 his retirement from the U.S. Senate.
“It is time and when this term ends it will be my last years as an elected official, I will not seek reelection,” Cardin said in a video. “I am an optimist but also a realist. I was taught that it’s OK to compromise — don’t ever compromise your principles — but find a path to get things done. Inspire trust in those around you. Keep your word and, again, listen. That’s civility and it has been central to all I have done over these many years of elected office.”
Cardin serves as chair of the Senate Small Business Committee and is the second-ranking Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee.
Arguably the most popular Jewish political leader in Maryland’s history, Cardin, 79, who lives in Pikesville and belongs to Beth Tfiloh Synagogue, reportedly told his staff last week that he does not plan to run for reelection in 2024.
A Baltimore native and the son of the late political leader Judge Meyer Cardin, Ben Cardin served for two decades in the House of Representatives before joining the Senate in 2007.
He previously served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967 to 1987, and speaker of the House of Delegates from 1979 to 1987. He was the youngest person in history to hold the latter position.
During his long political career, Cardin never lost an election. In 2018, he was reelected to a third term in the Senate, taking 65% of the vote.
In Congress, he was known as a hard-working legislator and foreign policy leader.
In a 2017 profile, Cardin spoke with Jmore about how Jewish values impact his work in the Senate. (Cardin recently spoke at the community-wide Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration on Apr. 16 at Pikesville’s Beth El Congregation.)
“My background has affected my priorities,” he said. “My grandparents came to America because of its values, because they believed they could develop their full potential here. They knew that this is a remarkable country, and look what we have — their grandson is a United States Senator.
“As Americans and as Jews, we believe in diversity, we welcome people from all over the world. That’s our strength. And when they are here, we help them build communities,” Cardin said. “Remember that in 1939, the St. Louis [ocean liner] was denied entry into the U.S. for more than 900 Jewish refugees from Germany. Turned back to Europe, a large percentage of these passengers perished in death camps. The United States is, and must remain, a beacon of hope.”
Cardin’s retirement is expected to launch a fierce political battle in Maryland for his successor in the Senate.
“Ben has been instrumental in building and maintaining a strong Maryland Democratic party, and with his help, I am confident Democrats will retain his seat,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer in a statement.
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