Majority Leader Schumer Statement On Senator Ben Cardin Announcing He Will Not Seek Re-Election

Washington, D.C. – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today released the following statement on Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) announcing he will not seek re-election:

“A public servant through and through, Ben Cardin has made meeting the needs of Marylanders his life’s work. He is one of my dearest friends in the U.S. Senate and someone I’ve always admired for favoring substance over flash, for digging deeply into issues, and for his ability time and again to persuade his colleagues of the justice of his causes, often working across the aisle to turn his ideas into successful legislation.

“Throughout nearly half a century in public office –  in the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives and the Maryland House of Delegates – Ben has fought fiercely for Maryland. He has been a tireless advocate for our country’s entrepreneurs, particularly business owners from underrepresented communities. He’s prioritized the needs of Main Street, especially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, working on legislation that would protect family restaurants, local shop owners, and independent businesses, including in the arts and culture industries, making sure they could weather unprecedented uncertainty.

“Ben has defended democracy and human rights and stood up for accountability and transparency in America and around the world. And he believes at his core that women’s rights are human rights and championed the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment throughout his career.

“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.

“I wish Ben and Myrna continued happiness and have no doubt that they will find new ways to serve the state of Maryland moving forward. I thank Ben for his friendship and for being a tremendous colleague. He will be greatly missed in the Senate.”

###