Rep. John Sarbanes (D-Md.) announced on Thursday that he will not seek a 10th term in 2024, ending his tenure as a congressman and creating an open seat for the upcoming election. Sarbanes, who is known for his advocacy of campaign finance reform, made the surprising announcement on his House website, stating that he wants to explore other opportunities to serve outside of elected office.
In a tweet, Sarbanes thanked his supporters and stated, “There are many ways to serve. It will be 18 years doing that in Congress, but looking forward to a new chapter of service.” He also mentioned that he still has 14 months left in his term and intends to finish strong.
Sarbanes has made a significant impact on campaign finance laws throughout his career. He used his own campaigns as a testing ground for his ideas, setting aside high-dollar donations until he had raised a certain amount from small-dollar contributions. Additionally, he worked on the For the People Act, a comprehensive public campaign finance system.
The announcement has surprised Maryland’s political community, and potential contenders for the open seat have already started considering their options. Several Democratic politicians, including House Judiciary Chair Vanessa E. Atterbeary and county executives Calvin Ball and Steuart Pittman, are being floated as potential successors.
Sarbanes, who is a Baltimore native, served in the 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Howard and Anne Arundel counties, as well as a small portion of Carroll County. His departure adds to the already competitive races for the U.S. Senate and Maryland’s 6th District.
The news of Sarbanes’s decision has garnered praise from the Democratic establishment, with many expressing their appreciation for his dedication to campaign finance reform and other important issues. Pittman, one of the potential contenders for the open seat, thanked Sarbanes for his service, noting his work on getting big money out of politics and addressing poverty.
As Sarbanes finishes out his term, the race to fill his seat will undoubtedly heat up, and Maryland’s political landscape is set to undergo significant changes in the coming months.