John Sarbanes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Sarbanes
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 3rd district |
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| In office January 3, 2007 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Ben Cardin |
| Succeeded by | Sarah Elfreth |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Peter Spyros Sarbanes
May 22, 1962 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Dina Caplan
(m. 1988) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Paul Sarbanes (father) |
| Education | Princeton University (BA) Harvard University (JD) |
| Signature |  |
John Peter Spyros Sarbanes (born May 22, 1962) is an American lawyer and politician. He served as a U.S. Representative for Maryland's 3rd district from 2007 to 2025. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district included Annapolis, all of Howard County, and parts of Anne Arundel and Carroll counties.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Sarbanes was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His father, Paul Sarbanes, was a U.S. Senator. His mother, Christine Dunbar Sarbanes, was a teacher. John graduated from the Gilman School in Baltimore in 1980.
He then attended Princeton University, earning a degree in 1984. Later, he received a law degree from Harvard Law School in 1988. While at Harvard, he helped lead the Law School Democrats group.
After college, John worked for the Maryland State Department of Education for seven years. He focused on improving Maryland's public school system. He also worked as a lawyer at a firm called Venable LLP in Baltimore from 1989 to 2006.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
John Sarbanes was elected to the United States House of Representatives. This is where elected officials from each state work together to create laws for the country. He served for many years, representing his home state of Maryland.
Working on Committees
In Congress, John Sarbanes was part of important groups called committees. These committees study different topics and help write new laws. He served on:
- The Committee on Energy and Commerce. This committee deals with energy, health, and investigations.
- The Committee on Oversight and Reform. This committee looks into how the government works.
Joining Congressional Caucuses
Sarbanes was also a member of several "caucuses." These are groups of lawmakers who share common interests or goals. Some of the caucuses he joined include:
- The Congressional Public Service Caucus, where he was a co-chair.
- The House Congressional Hellenic Caucus, which focuses on Greek-American issues.
- The Congressional Arts Caucus, supporting the arts.
Protecting the Environment Through Education
John Sarbanes cared about protecting the environment. He introduced a bill called the "No Child Left Inside Act." This bill aimed to improve environmental education in public schools. It would create grants for schools and train teachers. The goal was to make sure high school graduates understand environmental issues. Many groups supported this idea.
Working for Government Reforms
Sarbanes was a key author of a bill called the "For the People Act." This bill aimed to make elections fairer and improve how the government works. It included ideas like:
- Making it easier for people to register to vote.
- Allowing small donations to help fund election campaigns.
- Requiring members of Congress to not serve on company boards.
- Asking presidents to share their tax returns.
- Creating independent groups to draw election district maps more fairly.
The bill passed the House of Representatives twice but did not become law.
Campaigns and Elections
John Sarbanes first ran for Congress in 2006. The person who held the seat before him, Ben Cardin, decided to run for the Senate. John's father, Paul Sarbanes, was retiring from that Senate seat.
John won the Democratic nomination in a close race. He then won the general election with 64% of the vote. He was reelected eight times, showing strong support from his district.
After the 2020 Census, the boundaries of his district changed. His home in Towson was no longer in the district. However, members of Congress only need to live in the state they represent. On October 26, 2023, Sarbanes announced he would not run for reelection in 2024.
Post-Congressional Career
After leaving Congress in January 2025, John Sarbanes began working at Johns Hopkins University. He became a distinguished practitioner in residence at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute.
Political Stances
John Sarbanes often voted in line with President Joe Biden's goals. For example, in the 117th Congress, he voted with President Biden's stated position 100% of the time. This means he supported the President's plans on many issues.
Personal Life
John Sarbanes lives in Towson, Maryland. He is married to Dina Eve Caplan, whom he met at Harvard. They have three children. Sarbanes is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Images for kids
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John Sarbanes at his swearing-in ceremony, with his father, former Senator Paul Sarbanes, on the far left.
