Sarbanes to Retire After 18 Years in Congress

WASHINGTON — Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., said Thursday he’s decided not to run for reelection in 2024.

Sarbanes, who has represented Maryland’s deeply blue 3rd Congressional District for the past 18 years, said he is retiring from government work because he’s been feeling drawn to return to a form of public service — the world of nonprofits and volunteerism — that he was a part of prior to his political career.

“Stepping away from Congress voluntarily — whether it’s at the 18-year mark, as in my case, or at any point — is not an easy thing,” Sarbanes said in the statement. “The case can always be made to press on to the next election.

“While I am making this announcement today — specifically for the benefit of candidates interested in running for my seat in next year’s election — I’m not going anywhere for the next 14 months. That’s what’s left in my term and I’m committed to finishing strong,” Sarbanes said.

Sarbanes’ seat has been represented by a Democrat since 1927, and the district, a largely suburban area stretching from Columbia to Annapolis, Maryland, is not seen as being anywhere near flipping next year.

Among his predecessors representing the district were his own father, Sen. Paul Sarbanes, Barbara Mikulski, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi’s, D-Calif., father, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr. 

Reflecting on his years in Congress, Sarbanes said he felt “an enormous sense of gratitude and accomplishment. 

“These have been among the most rewarding years of my professional life, working with dedicated staff and amazing colleagues — especially the outstanding Maryland delegation — on the most pressing issues of our time,” he said. 

“Over the next 14 months, I’ll continue to focus on those issues as well as the critical responsibility of providing timely and responsive constituent service,” he added.

Sarbanes said over the past year he’s been particularly engaged in strengthening the nation’s democracy, a pursuit he described as his “top legislative priority in Congress.” 

“I am thrilled that Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., has agreed to shepherd the passage of the Freedom to Vote Act in the next Congress,” he said. “Under the steady hand of [House Minority] Leader Hakeem Jeffries, [D-N.Y.], our caucus’ unanimous backing of this legislation, along with the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, fortifies the ongoing effort to pass both bills into law. I will be a partner in that effort until it succeeds.” 

After thanking his family, staff, supporters and volunteers, Sarbanes closed his announcement by saying, “I believe in public service.

“My siblings and I grew up with the teaching that there are many ways to serve. Being in Congress is one of them — a truly humbling opportunity to make a difference,” he said.

Clark, who is also House Democratic whip, released a statement following Sarbanes’ announcement, calling him “an extraordinary public servant and trusted friend to his colleagues.” 

“Above all else, he is a fierce defender of democracy. During the 117th Congress, his leadership was instrumental to the passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act — transformational legislation to remove dark money from politics, strengthen ethics laws, ensure fair elections and protect voting rights,” she said.

“The House Democratic Caucus and the constituents of Maryland’s 3rd District will continue to be well served by his leadership over the remainder of his term,” Clark continued. “While I will miss John personally, I know that his achievements in Congress will continue to impact Marylanders — and Americans across the country — for generations to come.”

“For nearly two decades, Congressman John Sarbanes has been an unyielding advocate for the people of Maryland and one of our democracy’s fiercest champions,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

“In Congress, John led the charge on transformative democracy reform and voting rights legislation, including the Freedom to Vote Act and the For the People Act,” he continued. “His commitment to weeding out government corruption and strengthening access to the ballot box will be felt long after his service in the People’s House has ended. Through his work on the Energy and Commerce Committee, he has led efforts to lower drug prices, invest in clean energy and protect the Chesapeake Bay.

“Rep. Sarbanes embodies what it means to be a public servant. He will be greatly missed after the conclusion of this term and I wish him and his family the best in his next chapter,” Jeffries said.

Dan can be reached at [email protected] and @DanMcCue