2006Final results
2006 election for U.S. Senate in Maryland
U.S. Senate · Maryland
Benjamin L. Cardin (D) won with 54.2% of the vote, defeating Michael S. Steele (R) by 10.0 points.
Benjamin L. CardinDemocrat · winner
54.2%965,477
Michael S. SteeleRepublican
44.2%787,182
Kevin ZeeseGreen
1.5%27,564
1,781,139 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2006
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Benjamin L. CardinMichael S. Steele
$8.8M
Raised by the campaign
$8.4M
$8.7M
Spent by the campaign
$8.2M
$99.4K
Cash on hand
$208.7K
Other candidates' campaigns: Kevin Zeese $68.9K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2006.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2006