ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — The nephew of Democratic U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin has launched an exploratory committee to consider running for Maryland attorney general in 2014.

Jon Cardin, a lawyer and Democratic state lawmaker, announced the committee’s formation Monday. He joined the state House of Delegates in 2003 and is serving his third term. He holds the seat once occupied by his uncle, who served from 1967 until he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986. Ben Cardin was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006.

Jon Cardin earned his undergraduate degree from Tufts University and a law degree from the University of Maryland. He also has master’s degrees in policy sciences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and in Judaic studies from Baltimore Hebrew University.

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