Updated May 2, 2023
Longtime Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin announced he wouldn’t seek reelection on Monday, giving Democrats a third open seat to defend amid a challenging 2024 Senate map.
The 79-year-old’s retirement was hardly a surprise given his age and meager fundraising, which we pointed out just a few weeks ago. This brings the total number of open Senate seats so far to three. Michigan Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow announced her retirement at the beginning of the year in a race that could become competitive if Republicans land a solid recruit.
But regarding Cardin’s decision, Democrats should feel far more bullish, with most of the action happening in what is sure to be a crowded primary in an open seat race we continue to rate as Solid Democratic. It’s likely to be more similar to the third open seat in California, where Democrats are the clear favorites to retain retiring Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s seat, but which also has a competitive primary akin to the one Maryland will likely have.
Republicans haven’t won a Senate seat
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