who are the current maryland senators?
Ben Cardin
entailment
 In an unusual political circumstance , the 2001 legislative elections returned a senate with equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats , with each party having 20 senators . Both sides negotiated to choose two senators from their respective parties to serve as co @-@ presidents . Because of an 8 @-@ day gap between the seating of the new state legislature and the inauguration of Governor @-@ elect Jim McGreevey , four men held the position of acting governor : 

neutral
 To serve in the Maryland Senate , a person must be a citizen of Maryland 25 years of age or older . Elections for the 47 Senate seats are held every four years coincident with the federal election in which the President of the United States is not elected . Vacancies are filled through appointment by the Governor . The Senate meets for three months every year ; the rest of the year the work of the Senate is light and most members hold another job during this time . It has been controlled by Democrats for a number of years . In the 2006 election , more than two @-@ thirds of the Senate seats were won by Democrats . 

entailment
 As of the 2006 – 2010 term , most of Maryland 's Senators and Delegates receive $ 43 @,@ 500 in annual pay while presiding officers earn $ 56 @,@ 500 . This pay , relatively low for a state legislator , reflects the part @-@ time nature of the body , which only meets three months out of the year . Most members of the Senate hold additional jobs during the remainder of the year . Senators can also seek reimbursement for expenses related to meals and lodging during the legislative session , and for certain travel expenses related to their duties at any point during the year . They also have access to benefits received by state employees , including health and life insurance as well as retirement savings plans . Maryland has a voluntary legislator pension plan to which both Senators and Delegates have access . Besides receiving their own benefits , Senators can award up to $ 138 @,@ 000 each year in scholarships to students of their choosing if those students meet requirements set by Senate rules . 

contradiction
 As of 2015 , Maryland has yet to have been served by a female Governor . However , women were the runners @-@ up in four gubernatorial elections ( in 1974 , 1994 , 1998 , and 2002 ) . In addition , one woman has served as the Lieutenant Governor , Kathleen Kennedy Townsend , under Gov. Parris Glendening from 1995 to 2003 . Another woman , Kristen Cox , who was the Secretary of Disabilities , unsuccessfully ran for Lieutenant Governor as the running mate of the incumbent Governor Robert Ehrlich , when the Lieutenant Governor at that time , Michael Steele , left office to run for the U.S. Senate . Cox was a unique person to run for that office , not only because she is a woman , but also because she is legally blind . 

entailment
 The 47 districts from which Senators are elected are apportioned every ten years on the basis of population . Maryland 's constitution explicitly defines the process for the drawing of these districts , requiring that the Governor make a recommendation of a new electoral map and submit it for legislative approval . As of 2005 , there were approximately 112 @,@ 000 people in each district . Each Senate district also elects three Delegates , and incumbent Senators and Delegates will often run jointly as members of incumbent slates in their districts . It is rare , however , for an incumbent to be challenged . 
