Maria Cantwell
DemocratU.S. Senator, WA| Age | 67 (b. 1958-10-13) |
| Gender | Female |
| In office since | 1993-01-05 (~33 yrs) |
| Race / ethnicity | White (Irish American and German ancestry) |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Education | Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, Miami University (Oxford, Ohio), 1980 |
| Prior occupation | Vice President of Marketing at RealNetworks (1995-1999); prior career in marketing/public affairs and state/federal legislator |
| Military service | No |
| Birthplace | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Marital status | Never married |
| Children | 0 |
| Residence | Edmonds, Washington |
| Notable relatives | Father Paul Cantwell was an Indiana politician (county commissioner, city councilor, state legislator, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Andrew Jacobs Jr., and 1979 Democratic nominee for Indianapolis mayor) |
Pending research: languages · openly lgbtq.
Career & politics
| First elected | 2000 |
| Previous offices | Washington House of Representatives (44th district), 1987-1993 · U.S. House of Representatives (Washington's 1st district), 1993-1995 |
| Committees | Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation (Ranking Member) · Committee on Energy and Natural Resources · Committee on Finance · Committee on Indian Affairs · Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship · Joint Committee on Taxation |
| Caucuses | Senate New Democrat Coalition · Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues · Congressional Internet Caucus · Congressional Wine Caucus · Senate Steel Caucus · Senate National Guard Caucus · Congressional Hazards Caucus · Rare Disease Caucus |
| Leadership | Chair, Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (2021-2025) · Ranking Member, Senate Commerce Committee (2025-present) · Ranking Member, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee (2015-2019) · Chair, Senate Indian Affairs Committee (2013-2014) · Chair, Senate Small Business Committee (2014-2015) |
| Ideology | Member of the centrist New Democrat Coalition; lifetime League of Conservation Voters score 93% |
| Signature legislation | Helped block Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) drilling (2005) · Co-introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act with Sen. Susan Collins (2009) · Energy market anti-manipulation amendment (passed 2006) · Shark finning prevention legislation (2011) · Airline passenger refund requirement legislation (2024) |
Financial
Net worth: disclosed $884,007–$4,910,000 (2023) · estimate
| Harbor Capital Appreciation Institutional (mutual fund) | fund · $50,000–$250,000 · 2023 |
| American Beacon Small Cap Value (mutual fund) | fund · $50,000–$250,000 · 2023 |
| Vanguard Windsor II Inc (mutual fund) | fund · 2023 |
| Conestoga Small Cap Investors (mutual fund) | fund · 2023 |
| Cantwell 2000 Campaign loan (note receivable owed to her) | other · $1,000,000–$5,000,000 · 2023 |
Top donors: Microsoft Corp ($655,658 (1991-2024 career))
Top industries: Casinos/Gambling · TV/Movies/Music (Commercial TV & radio) · Sea Transport / Cruise lines · Indian Gaming · Telecom Services · Air Transport · Lobbyists
Scandals & crimes ledger
closed — FEC Admonishment for Failure to Timely Report Complete Loan Information (MUR 5198)
The National Legal and Policy Center filed an FEC complaint in April 2001 alleging that two pre-election loans totaling nearly $4 million from U.S. Bank — secured by RealNetworks stock — were either illegal corporate contributions or improperly disclosed. The FEC cleared Cantwell on the corporate-contribution allegation but admonished her campaign committee for failing to timely disclose complete loan terms, finding a violation of the campaign-finance disclosure statute. No fine or civil penalty was imposed; the commission issued a written admonishment and closed the matter.