Rep. Jamie Raskin To Asses Nation's Political Situation Before Deciding On U.S. Senate Run

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — As officials across the state announce plans to run for the U.S. Senate in 2024, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-8th) said Tuesday he is going to take some time before deciding whether to run for the seat of retiring Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD).

Raskin became more widely known nationally as the lead House manager in the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump and as a member of the U.S. House committee investigation of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Last month, Raskin said his doctors had determined his cancer was in remission following a chemotherapy regime. Raskin, who lives in Bethesda, was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, calling it "a serious but curable form of cancer."

“I’m deeply grateful to all my friends and fellow Democrats out there who are sending me messages about running for the U.S. Senate,” Raskin said in a statement Tuesday. “Having completed five months of chemo right before Senator Ben Cardin’s announcement, I am taking a month or so to carefully assess and reflect upon the overall political context in the country and in Maryland.”

Cardin, Maryland’s senior senator, announced last week that he would not run for re-election in 2024 after more than 50 years serving in public office at the local, state and federal level.

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If he chooses to run for Cardin’s seat in 2024, Raskin would join a growing list of officials who have announced their intention to run. On Tuesday, Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced via video her intention to run for the U.S. Senate.

Alsobrooks joined Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando (D) and Rep. David Trone (D-6th) who previously announced plans to succeed Cardin.

Others who are expected to consider the Senate race include Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. (D), U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (D-3rd) and Ben Jealous, the party’s 2018 gubernatorial nominee who is the executive director of the national Sierra Club.

Former Republican Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said last week that he is not interested in running for Senate in 2024.

Raskin said Tuesday that the key imperatives for Democrats in 2024 are to recapture a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, protect their majority in the U.S. Senate and ensure that President Joe Biden wins re-election.

"We are still in the fight of our lives to defend American democracy and freedom against the rampaging autocrats, kleptocrats, plutocrats and theocrats, and I feel a strong responsibility not only to advance the needs and priorities of the people of Maryland but to serve in whatever capacity and role will be most effective and important to a resounding victory for American democracy and freedom across the country," Raskin said.

Raskin said he "will be back in touch soon" about his political intentions. "Hang tough, everyone, and thanks for all your good vibes and good wishes," he said.

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