Paul Sarbanes

Who is Paul Sarbanes?

Paul Spyros Sarbanes, is an American politician and member of the Democratic Party from Maryland who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from 1971 to 1977 and as a United States Senator from 1977 to 2007. Sarbanes is the longest-Serving senator in Maryland history.

Born in Salisbury, Maryland, Sarbanes is a graduate of Princeton University, Balliol College and Harvard Law School. Elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 1966, he went on to served two terms in the Maryland House from 1967 to 1971. In 1970, he won a seat in the United States House of Representatives, representing Maryland's 4th and later Maryland's 3rd congressional district from 1971 to 1977. In 1976 he ran for the United States Senate, defeating Republican incumbent John Glenn Beall, Jr. with 59% of the vote. Sarbanes was re-elected four times, each time with receiving no less than 59% of the vote. He did not seek re-election in 2006, when he was succeeded by fellow Democrat Ben Cardin. Sarbanes was known for his low-key style, often shunning the limelight over his 30-year Senate career.