About Jon Cardin
Dedication, honesty, and transparency.
I devoted my career in public service to standing up for the most vulnerable. During a time of groundbreaking strides for civil and equal rights in Maryland, I sponsored legislation and vigorously fought for equality for all Marylanders. A tireless advocate for our youth, I sponsored the toughest anti-cyberbullying law in the nation. Working to protect consumers, I took on big corporations by increasing penalties for companies who play fast and loose with consumer credit information. And, as an avid protector of the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s unique natural treasures, I implemented incentives to expand solar power, hybrid technologies, and bio-solid renewable fuel sources.
With your vote, I will work tirelessly to advance these and other issues, stay ahead of emerging threats to our community, listen to your concerns, and advocate for what’s most important to you in the Maryland House of Delegates.
The Path to Public Service
Jon Cardin grew up in a family uniquely dedicated to public service in Maryland. He sits in the legislative seat formerly occupied by his uncle, Senator Ben Cardin, great uncle, Delegate Maurice Cardin, and grandfather, the Honorable Judge Meyer Cardin. With no lack of powerful role-models around the table at weekly Shabbat dinners, Cardin learned early the values of service and empathy.
Jon earned a Juris Doctor with Honors from the University of Maryland School of Law in 2001; received a Master’s degree in Policy Sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County along with a second Master’s degree with Honors in Judaic Studies from Baltimore Hebrew University (now Towson University), both in 1996. He has a 1992 Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Tufts University, and he is an alumnus of The Park School.
Prior to studying law, Cardin was recruited as executive director of The Project Judaica Foundation in Washington, DC from 1996-1998. He began his career teaching Spanish and coaching lacrosse and basketball as faculty at Mercersburg Academy from 1992 to 1994.
Life in District 11B
Jon lives with his wife and daughters. They attend Beth Tfiloh and Beth Israel synagogues and make Sabbath dinners a priority. Jon participates in a wide range of community activities, including serving on the board of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore, BHU, the National Association of Jewish Legislators and the MD Attorney Grievance Commission Peer Review Panel. His chairmanship of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Election Law Taskforce took him around the country speaking on election security and reform, and board leadership at The American Council of Young Political Leaders availed him of several international diplomatic missions. He enjoys coaching Dorothy and Micah, walking his dog, reading spy novels, cycling and competing in marathons and triathlons.
From 2019-2022 Cardin served Of Counsel to Lyons, Doughty & Veldhuis, PA, and since 2002, the Law Offices of Jon S. Cardin, P.A. in Baltimore has been representing clients before civil and criminal courts around the state as well as in federal tribunals. From 2016-2018, Cardin partnered with Councilman Johnny Olszweski, Sr. in creating CWO Strategies, managing issues in public affairs, regulatory compliance, media relations, crisis management, and community/government relations.
A Legacy of Action in the House of Delegates
Jon represented the 11th District for three terms from 2003 to 2014. As a member of the Ways and Means committee, he focused my legislative agenda on protections for children and families, election law, education reform, environmental policy, and simplification of the tax code. As former Chair of the Election Law subcommittee from 2007 to 2014, he knows nothing is more sacred to democracy than the right to vote, and as chair of NCSL’s Election Law Committee, he became a national advocate and one of the state’s leading voices for open government, campaign finance reform, and fair elections. Jon is an advocate for women and children’s rights demonstrated by multiple bill sponsorships including authoring the Nation’s first prohibition against cyber bullying and sponsoring Maryland’s first criminalization of revenge porn.
Cardin returned to the House of Delegates in 2019 with a goal of protection for women, children, minorities, vulnerable communities, and the environment. He was appointed to the Judiciary Committee, the Criminal Law and Procedure subcommittee and chairs the Civil Law and Procedure subcommittee. In his new role, his colleagues appreciate the wide legal experience and perspectives he brings to a committee of relatively new legislators. One of the numerous accomplishments in his return was to pass Grace’ Law 2.0, nationally recognized landmark legislation to update and modernize his 2013 law that protects children from the very real consequences of cyber threats and online harassment. Jon also spent political capital reforming the “no-knock” warrant policy in the police reform package and focuses on victim protection and on the civil rights of our youth.