2012 United States Senate election in Maryland
The 2012 United States Senate election in Maryland took place on November 6, 2012, concurrently with the 2012 U.S. presidential election as well as other elections to the United States Senate, House of Representatives, and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Ben Cardin won re-election to a second term, defeating Republican nominee Dan Bongino and independent Rob Sobhani.
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
- Raymond Blagmon
- Ben Cardin, incumbent U.S. Senator
- J.P. Cusick
- Christopher Garner, engineer and businessman
- Ralph Jaffe, former political science teacher
- C. Anthony Muse, State Senator
- Blaine Taylor
- Ed Tinus
- Lih Young, perennial candidate
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
Declared
- Joseph Alexander
- Dan Bongino, former United States Secret Service agent
- Bro Broadus
- William Capps
- Richard Douglas, attorney and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
- Rick Hoover
- David Jones
- John B. Kimble, behavioral scientist and perennial candidate
- Brian Vaeth, retired firefighter
- Corrogan R. Vaughn, perennial candidate
Declined
- Bob Ehrlich, former Governor of Maryland
- Brian Murphy, candidate for Governor in 2010
- Eric Wargotz, nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010
Results
General election
Candidates
- Ben Cardin, Incumbent U.S. Senator and former U.S. Representative
- Daniel Bongino, former United States Secret Service agent
- Dean Ahmad, President of the Minaret of Freedom Institute
- S. Rob Sobhani, Chairman and CEO of Caspian Group Holdings
- Brandy Baker
Debates
Campaign
In 2006, then-U.S. Representative Ben Cardin defeated then-Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele 54%–44%. Eric Wargotz, the Republican nominee in 2010 had considered entering the race but ultimately did not.In both 2010 and 2009, National Journal magazine rated Cardin as tied for most liberal senator, based on his voting record. As of June 30, Cardin had $1.8 million in his campaign account.
Fundraising
Top contributors
| Ben Cardin | Contribution | Daniel Bongino | Contribution |
| Exelon Corp | $39,250 | Avjet Corp | $5,000 |
| News Corp | $35,375 | Citizens United | $5,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University | $30,300 | Oheka Castle | $5,000 |
| Comcast Corp | $26,123 | Miller & Long Concrete Construction | $4,891 |
| Ernst & Young | $26,000 | Perinatal Center of Oklahoma | $4,790 |
| Gallagher, Evelius & Jones | $24,250 | NORPAC | $21,730 |
| Venable LLP | $23,750 | NYPD | $3,950 |
| DLA Piper | $23,250 | Fitzgerald Shamrock Restaurant | $3,947 |
| DaVita Inc. | $22,000 | Davidsonville Veterinary Clinic | $3,250 |
| Blue Cross & Blue Shield | $20,750 | Constitutional Conservatives Fund | $2,500 |
Top industries
| Ben Cardin | Contribution | Daniel Bongino | Contribution |
| Lawyers/Law Firms | $441,242 | Retired | $20,152 |
| Real Estate | $354,920 | General Contractors | $8,641 |
| Health Professionals | $317,509 | Civil Servants/Public Officials | $8,135 |
| Financial Institutions | $301,161 | Health Professionals | $6,540 |
| Pro-Israel | $236,792 | Real Estate | $5,700 |
| Retired | $222,410 | Republican/Conservative | $5,500 |
| Lobbyists | $213,559 | Lodging/Tourism | $5,000 |
| Insurance | $191,300 | Computers/Internet | $4,110 |
| Leadership PACs | $191,000 | Food industry & Beverage | $3,947 |
| Entertainment industry | $188,806 | Financial Institutions | $3,800 |
Predictions
Polling
Hypothetical polling | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Results |