Ben Cardin has had a lengthy career in Maryland politics, serving in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967 to 1987 including as Speaker from 1979 to 1987. He was then a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Maryland's 3rd congressional district from 1987 to 2007. Cardin has served as the junior United States Senator from Maryland since 2007, and became the senior Senator in 2017. He currently serves on several Senate committees including as the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.