Statement
Statement from County Executive Marc Elrich on Senator Ben Cardin Retirement Announcement
For Immediate Release: Monday 1 May
Today, we learned that the longest serving member of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation, Sen. Benjamin Cardin, will not seek reelection in 2024, after serving the people of Maryland for 58 consecutive years. He is truly an example of a committed and dedicated public servant.
Sen. Cardin paid close attention to Montgomery County and was sincerely interested in our community and local government. During his service in the Senate, he has been genuinely engaged and focused on details, which is a refreshing difference compared to many contemporary politicians who only go an inch deep and desire headlines over substantive solutions.
Sen. Cardin regularly secured federal funding for County initiatives, supported our agenda, and pushed our requests at the federal level while being responsive to constituent and community needs throughout every neighborhood in Montgomery County. From supporting our efforts to combat climate change to being there for us throughout the pandemic, he was a steady hand and a persistent presence as our Senator for over 16 years.
Ben was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1966 at the age of 22 while still in law school. He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967-1986. While in the Maryland House, Ben worked to reform Maryland’s property tax system, the school financing formula, and the ethical standards for elected officials. In 1987 Ben was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served there for 20 years before winning his current seat.
Sen. Cardin was known throughout the state by his campaign slogan “My friend Ben.” This sentiment was more than just a catchy phrase – this slogan embodied the manner in which he did business and treated everyone who interacted with him. There was never a wall or pretensions with Sen. Cardin. Whether you knew him for decades or just met him; whether you were a world leader or the average Marylander he would meet on the street, he lived and served all in this State and nation with humanity, dignity, and respect.
I am very grateful that he was always my friend, and a friend to Montgomery County. He leaves behind a legacy of service that will be very hard to match, and I thank him for all he has done to make Maryland and Montgomery County a better place to live, work, and visit. We will miss Sen. Cardin and wish him, Myrna, and all of his family well during his well-deserved retirement.
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Release ID: 23-008