Barbara Mikulski

Barbara Ann Mikulski (born July 20, 1936), a member of the Democratic Party, is the current Class 3 United States Senator representing the State of Maryland. She has served as senator since 1987, and is currently the most senior female U.S. Senator.

Political Career

Mikulski gained a positive reputation following her activism. This led to a seat on the Baltimore City Council in 1971. In 1974 she ran for the U.S. Senate for the first time, but was defeated by the Republican incumbent, Charles Mathias, Jr. In 1976, she ran for the House of Representatives representing the third district of Maryland, winning 76% of the vote.

Related Topics:
City Council - 1971 - 1974 - Republican - Charles Mathias, Jr. - 1976

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In 1986 Mikulski announced her retirement from politics. However, in the same year she ran for the Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Mathias. Gov. Harry Hughes had been expected to run for the seat, but in the aftermath of the Maryland Savings and Loan crisis he lost his popularity with voters, opening the door for Mikulski's bid for the Senate. She won the race with 61% of the vote and was re-elected with large majorities in 1992, 1998 and 2004. She is the dean of the women senators and previously served as the third-ranking Senate Democrat.

Related Topics:
1992 - 1998 - 2004 - The women senators - Senate - Democrat

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Senator Mikulski serves on the following Senate committees:

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• Member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
• Ranking Member of the Retirement Security and Aging Subcommittee.
• Member of the Appropriations Committee.
• Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee.
• Member of the Defense Subcommittee.
• Member of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee.
• Member of the Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.
• Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee.
• Member of the Select Committee On Intelligence.