Ben Cardin has had enough: Longtime Maryland Democrat senator won't seek re-election in 2024

May 2, 2023

Longtime Democrat Maryland Senator Ben Cardin, 79, says he will not run for re-election in 2024, but will retire from the Senate.

“It’s time,” Cardin told the Baltimore Sun ahead of the official announcement. “I always knew this election cycle would be the one I would be thinking about not running again, so it’s not something that hit me by surprise.”

“I enjoy life. There are other things I can do,” he added, saying he may become a teacher or professor after his Senate term ends.

Cardin's career started the same year as Rep. Steny Hoyer's (D-MD), in 1967.

There are expected to be numerous contenders for Cardin's seat, including Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), who was the first to congratulate him on his retirement.

“I salute him and have congratulated him on a truly amazing and inspiring career devoted to service of our people and the old-fashioned public values of honesty and decency," Raskin said in a statement, while not revealing whether he would run for the seat.