Ben Cardin

official U.S. Senate photo of Ben Cardin c. 2015

Birth Name: Benjamin Louis Cardin

Place of Birth: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.

Date of Birth: October 5, 1943

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ben Cardin is an American politician. A Democrat, he has served as a U.S. Senator from Maryland, since January 3, 2007. He was previously a Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates, from January 6, 1979 to January 3, 1987, and a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland, from January 3, 1987 to January 3, 2007.

Ben is the son of Dora (Green) and Meyer Cardin (Meyer Melvin Cardin, originally Kardonsky). His parents were both born in Maryland, both of them to parents who were born in Russia. His father served in the Maryland House of Delegates, from 1935 to 1937, and sat on the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City, from 1961 to 1977. He is married to teacher Myrna Edelman, with whom he has two children.

Ben is a member of a Modern Orthodox congregation.

Ben’s paternal grandfather was named Harris Kardonsky/Cardin.

Ben’s paternal grandmother was named Anna.

Ben’s maternal grandfather was named Benjamin Green.

Ben’s maternal grandmother was named Rachael/Rae.

Sources: Genealogies of Ben Cardin (focusing on his father’s side) – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com
http://www.geni.com

Obituary of Ben’s father – http://www.findagrave.com