Sen. Ben Cardin will deliver his final speech, emphasizing civility and American values on the Senate floor Tuesday. Cardin, 81, first took office in 2006, succeeding Sen. Paul Sarbanes. Angela Alsobrooks will succeed Cardin after defeating former Gov. Larry Hogan in November.
He previously served as the representative for Maryland’s 3rd District from 1986 to 2006 and became Maryland’s senior senator in 2017 following the retirement of Sen. Barbara Mikulski.
Cardin has represented Marylanders for 56 years, first in the House of Delegates and then on the federal level in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
In May 2023, Cardin announced in a video he would not seek re-election.
“It’s been the honor of my life to represent the people of Maryland,” he said in a five-and-a-half-minute video with his wife, Myrna.
“I love Maryland. I love the people of Maryland and I love everything about our state from the beaches to the mountains, the cities and neighborhoods in between, and the rich history of the iconic Chesapeake Bay,” he said in a news release announcing his decision.
“For me, the essential ingredients of effective public service are integrity and civility. I have always tried to listen to people, understand their problems and then work with them to find a solution. I am an optimist but also a realist. I was taught that it’s okay to compromise – don’t ever compromise your principles – but find a path to get things done,” he said.
“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.”
Full video:
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