Retired Air Force general jumps into Maryland Senate race for Cardin’s seat

Republican retired Air Force Brig. Gen. John Teichert jumped into the race to represent Maryland in the Senate Monday.

Teichert announced his candidacy for the seat held by Sen. Ben Cardin (D), who announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t run for reelection.

“I have spent the last 33 years defending our country and ensuring it remains the shining city on the hill, but our flag is faltering. We are disrespected abroad while our politicians fail us at home,” Teichert said in a statement announcing his run. 

Cardin’s decision not to run for another Senate term opens up a vacancy in the upper chamber to represent the deep blue state alongside Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D), and it sets the stage for a primary battle among Democrats looking to replace the three-term senator. 

Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Rep. Jamie Raskin (D) both turned down the possibility of a 2024 Senate run. 

Rep. David Trone (D-Md.), Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks (D) and Montgomery County councilmember Will Jawando are among the candidates who have already announced campaigns.

Teichert served as the commander of Joint Base Andrews, commander of Edwards Air Force Base and the nation’s senior defense official in Iraq, before retiring as the assistant deputy undersecretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, according to a release from his campaign.

Among the Republicans goals are “restoring order to our porous southern border, breaking the shackles of high inflation and even higher taxes,” and “putting parents back in charge of their children’s education.” 

“The narrowly averted government shutdown is yet another reminder that Washington is broken,” Teichert said.