View source for Maria Cantwell

{{Short description|American politician and businesswoman (born 1958)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Maria Cantwell
| image               = Maria Cantwell.jpg
| office              = Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation|Senate Commerce Committee]]
| term_start          = February 3, 2021
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Roger Wicker]]
| successor           = 
| office1             = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation|Senate Commerce Committee]]
| term_start1         = January 3, 2019
| term_end1           = February 3, 2021
| predecessor1        = [[Bill Nelson]]
| successor1          = [[Roger Wicker]]
| office2             = Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources|Senate Energy Committee]]
| term_start2         = January 3, 2015
| term_end2           = January 3, 2019
| predecessor2        = [[Lisa Murkowski]]
| successor2          = [[Joe Manchin]]
| office3             = Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Senate Small Business Committee]]
| term_start3         = February 12, 2014
| term_end3           = January 3, 2015
| predecessor3        = [[Mary Landrieu]]
| successor3          = [[David Vitter]]
| office4             = Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs|Senate Indian Affairs Committee]]
| term_start4         = January 3, 2013
| term_end4           = February 12, 2014
| predecessor4        = [[Daniel Akaka]]
| successor4          = [[Jon Tester]]
| jr/sr5              = United States Senator
| state5              = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| alongside5          = [[Patty Murray]]
| term_start5         = January 3, 2001
| term_end5           = 
| predecessor5        = [[Slade Gorton]]
| successor5          = 
| state6              = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
| district6           = {{ushr|WA|1|1st}}
| term_start6         = January 3, 1993
| term_end6           = January 3, 1995
| predecessor6        = [[John Miller (Washington politician)|John Miller]]
| successor6          = [[Rick White (politician)|Rick White]]
| state_house7        = Washington
| district7           = [[Washington's 44th legislative district|44th]]
| term_start7         = January 12, 1987
| term_end7           = January 3, 1993
| predecessor7        = Jeanine Long
| successor7          = Jeanine Long
| birth_name          = Maria Ellen Cantwell
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1958|10|13}}
| birth_place         = [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| education           = [[Miami University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| website             = {{URL|https://cantwell.senate.gov|Senate website}}
| signature           = Maria Cantwell signature.png
| father              = [[Paul Cantwell]]
| module              = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Maria Cantwell on her constituents lack of certainty and the mismanagement of Southwest Airlines.ogg|title=Maria Cantwell's voice|type=speech|description=Maria Cantwell on her constituents' lack of certainty and the mismanagement of [[Southwest Airlines]]<br/>Recorded February 9, 2023}}
| caption             = Official portrait, 2018
}}

'''Maria Ellen Cantwell''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|æ|n|t|ˌ|w|ɛ|l}}; born October 13, 1958)<ref>{{cite web|title=Home {{!}} U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington|url=https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/|access-date=2020-11-08|website=www.cantwell.senate.gov|language=en}}</ref> is an American politician and former businesswoman serving as the [[Seniority in the United States Senate|junior]] [[United States Senate|United States senator]] from [[Washington (state)|Washington]] since 2001. A member of the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]], she served in the [[Washington House of Representatives]] from 1987 to 1993, and in the [[United States House of Representatives]] from {{ushr|Washington|1}} from 1993 to 1995.

Born and raised in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]], Cantwell graduated from [[Miami University]] before moving to [[Seattle]] to work on [[Alan Cranston]]'s [[1984 Democratic Party presidential primaries|1984 presidential campaign]]. In 1986, she was elected to the state House of Representatives, where she served until her election to Congress in 1992. Cantwell served one term in Congress before losing her seat to [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Rick White (politician)|Rick White]] in the 1994 election. She then briefly worked in the private sector as vice president of marketing for [[RealNetworks]].

Despite having vowed to remain out of politics, Cantwell ran for the United States Senate in [[2000 United States Senate election in Washington|2000]]. She defeated Republican incumbent [[Slade Gorton]] in one of the closest elections in the state's history. Cantwell was reelected in [[2006 United States Senate election in Washington|2006]], [[2012 United States Senate election in Washington|2012]], and [[2018 United States Senate election in Washington|2018]], and is running for a fifth term in [[2024 United States Senate election in Washington|2024]] against Republican nominee Raul Garcia. After [[Jeff Sessions]] resigned from the Senate in February 2017 to become [[United States Attorney General]], Cantwell became the most [[Seniority in the United States Senate|senior junior]] senator. She is the second female senator from Washington, after [[Patty Murray]].
{{TOC limit|3}}

==Early life, education, and early political career==
Cantwell was born in [[Indianapolis]], [[Indiana]]. She was raised in a predominantly [[Irish Americans|Irish American]] neighborhood on the south side of Indianapolis. Her father, [[Paul Cantwell]],<ref name=fprgd>{{cite web|url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~battle/senators/cantwell.htm|title=1|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> served as county commissioner, city councilor, state legislator, and chief of staff for U.S. Representative [[Andrew Jacobs Jr.]];<ref name=fprgd/> he was the Democratic nominee for Mayor of Indianapolis in [[1979 Indianapolis mayoral election|1979]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mundy |first1=Alicia |title=Father introduced Cantwell to excitement, pitfalls of politics |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20060728&slug=cantwellyouth28m |publisher=The Seattle Times |access-date=September 13, 2019 |date=July 28, 2006}}</ref> Her mother, Rose, was an administrative assistant. Her ancestry includes Irish and German.<ref name=fprgd/>

Cantwell attended [[Emmerich Manual High School]], and was inducted into the [[Indianapolis Public Schools]] Hall of Fame in 2006.<ref>[http://www.ipshof.com/nomination-forms.asp IPS Hall of Fame] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090106141320/http://www.ipshof.com/nomination-forms.asp |date=January 6, 2009 }}</ref> After high school, Cantwell attended [[Miami University]] in [[Oxford, Ohio]], where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Maria-Cantwell|title=Maria Cantwell {{!}} United States senator|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref>

A year after graduating, Cantwell worked on [[Jerry Springer]]'s unsuccessful [[1982 Ohio gubernatorial election|1982 Ohio gubernatorial campaign]].<ref name="Mundy1">{{cite web |last1=Mundy |first1=Alicia |title=Father introduced Cantwell to excitement, pitfalls of politics |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20060728&slug=cantwellyouth28m |website=archive.seattletimes.com |publisher=Seattle Times |access-date=18 April 2023 |date=July 28, 2006}}</ref> Cantwell moved to [[Seattle]], [[Washington (state)|Washington]], in 1983, to campaign for U.S. Senator [[Alan Cranston]] (D-CA) in his unsuccessful bid for the [[Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 1984|1984 Democratic presidential nomination]].<ref name="Mundy1"/><ref name=":0" /> She then moved to the Seattle suburb of [[Mountlake Terrace, Washington|Mountlake Terrace]], because it reminded her of Indianapolis,<ref>{{cite news |last=Bergsman |first=Jerry |date=April 9, 1986 |title=Newcomer keeps up family tradition: Indiana native volunteers for city campaign |page=F2 |work=[[The Seattle Times]]}}</ref> and led a successful campaign in 1986 to build a new library there.<ref>{{cite news |last=Bergsman |first=Jerry |date=May 21, 1986 |title=First step to a new library: Mountlake Terrace OK's joining Sno-Isle system |page=H1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> As of 2000, Cantwell lived in [[Edmonds, Washington]] with her mother.<ref>{{cite news |last=Searcey |first=Dionne |date=September 14, 2000 |title=Cantwell, Senn contrast in style, share views |page=A1 |url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000914&slug=4042411 |work=The Seattle Times |access-date=May 13, 2018}}</ref>

==Washington House of Representatives (1987–1993)==
===Elections===
In 1986, Cantwell was elected to the [[Washington State House of Representatives]] at the age of 28.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olywa.net/ywcaofolympia/maria%20cantwell.html | title=2002 Woman of Distinction | publisher=The YWCA of Olympia | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050210152049/http://www.olywa.net/ywcaofolympia/maria%20cantwell.html | archive-date=February 10, 2005 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> She defeated George Dahlquist 54%–46%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=435462|title=Our Campaigns - WA House District 44 Seat 1 Race - Nov 04, 1986|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> In 1988, she was reelected with 66% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=407199|title=Our Campaigns - WA House District 44 Seat 1 Race - Nov 08, 1988|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> In 1990, she was reelected to a third term with 61% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=336934|title=Our Campaigns - WA House District 44 Seat 1 Race - Nov 06, 1990|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref>

===Tenure===
As a state representative, Cantwell helped write Washington's Growth Management Act of 1990, which required cities to develop comprehensive growth plans, and she negotiated its passage.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dmtXAAAAIBAJ&pg=7008,4024585&dq=maria%20cantwell&hl=en|title=The Spokesman-Review - Google News Archive Search|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yuoxAAAAIBAJ&pg=4108,4474755&dq=maria%20cantwell&hl=en|title=Ellensburg Daily Record - Google News Archive Search|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> She also worked on legislation regulating nursing homes. Cantwell resigned on January 3, 1993, in preparation to be sworn in as a member of the [[United States House of Representatives]].

==U.S. House of Representatives (1993–1995)==
===Elections===
;1992
In the November election, Cantwell defeated Republican State Senator [[Gary A. Nelson]] 55%–42%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=28450|title=Our Campaigns - WA District 1 Race - Nov 03, 1992|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> She became the first Democrat elected to the [[United States House of Representatives]] from Washington's first congressional district in 40 years.

;1994
Republican [[Rick White (politician)|Rick White]] defeated Cantwell 52%–48% in the [[1994 United States House of Representatives elections#Washington|1994 United States House of Representatives elections]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Campaigns - WA District 1 Race - Nov 08, 1994|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29000|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> Before that year's "[[Republican Revolution]]", eight of the nine representatives from the Washington state delegation were from the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]]. After the election, five Democratic representatives from Washington state lost their positions, despite running for re-election, including Cantwell, future governor [[Jay Inslee]], and Speaker of the House [[Tom Foley]].

===Tenure===
Cantwell was called a "savvy, pro-business Democrat". She supported [[Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993|President Clinton's 1993 budget]], which raised taxes and passed without the votes of many Democrats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=MmAgAAAAIBAJ&pg=5997,6394831&dq=maria%20cantwell&hl=en|title=Sun Journal - Google News Archive Search|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> During her only term, she helped persuade the Clinton administration to terminate its support of the [[Clipper chip]]. She wrote a letter to Vice President [[Al Gore]] and staunchly opposed it because [[Microsoft Inc.]] was in her district.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=s3YvAAAAIBAJ&pg=4232,4445153&dq=maria%20cantwell&hl=en|title=Beaver County Times - Google News Archive Search|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/07/21/business/gore-shifts-stance-on-chip-code.html | work=The New York Times | first=John | last=Markoff | title=Gore Shifts Stance on Chip Code | date=July 21, 1994}}</ref> She voted for the [[North American Free Trade Agreement]] (NAFTA).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=eE8tAAAAIBAJ&pg=2539,1340407&dq=maria%20cantwell&hl=en|title=Moscow-Pullman Daily News - Google News Archive Search|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
*[[United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure|Public Works]]
*[[United States House Committee on Foreign Affairs|Foreign Affairs]]
*[[United States House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries|Merchant Marine and Fisheries]]

==Private sector employment (1995–1999)==
After her defeat, Cantwell vowed to leave politics. Political ally [[Rob Glaser]] offered her a job as vice president of marketing for [[RealNetworks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000806&slug=4035452|title=Business - Cantwell's banking on her years as dot-com exec - Seattle Times Newspaper|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> Among her accomplishments was the live internet streaming broadcast of a [[Seattle Mariners|Mariners]]-[[New York Yankees|Yankees]] baseball game in 1995, which marked the start of internet broadcasts of [[Major League Baseball]] games.<ref>{{cite news |date=September 10, 2012 |title=1995: The Beginning of Internet Baseball Broadcasts |url=https://miscbaseball.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/1995-the-beginning-of-internet-baseball-broadcasts |work=Misc. Baseball}}</ref>

In 1998, the company was criticized by privacy groups, which alleged that the RealJukebox software program incorporated [[spyware]] to track unsuspecting users' listening patterns and download history. In response, RealNetworks amended its [[privacy policy]] to fully disclose its privacy practices regarding user listening patterns. Subsequently, RealNetworks submitted to independent outside audits of its privacy practices. Several lawsuits regarding alleged privacy violations were settled out of court. This incident has shaped her views on privacy and her opposition to the Bush administration's post-9/11 policies.<ref>{{cite book | last = Rosen | first = Jeffrey | author-link = Jeffrey Rosen (legal academic) | title = The Naked Crowd: Reclaiming Security and Freedom in an Anxious Age | edition = 1st Trade Paperback | year = 2004 | publisher = Random House | location = New York | isbn = 0-375-75985-9 | page = [https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780375759857/page/139 139] | chapter = The Path of the Law | url-access = registration |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780375759857/page/139 }}</ref>

==U.S. Senate (2001–present)==
===Elections===

==== 2000 ====
{{main|2000 United States Senate election in Washington}}

At the urging of party activists and officials, Cantwell formed an exploratory committee in October 1999 to consider a run for U.S. Senate against Democrat Insurance Commissioner [[Deborah Senn]] and incumbent Republican Senator [[Slade Gorton]]. She committed to the race on January 19, 2000.<ref>{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=Robert T. |date=January 19, 2000 |title=Cantwell announces run for Senate |page=B1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Cantwell entered the campaign a year after Senn, who was endorsed by the Washington State Labor Council and NARAL, and used her personal wealth to fund television advertisements.<ref name="Times-Senn">{{cite news |last=Searcey |first=Dionne |date=May 29, 2000 |title=Cantwell vs. Senn: different paths, styles |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Silver |first=Beth |date=May 5, 2000 |title=Abortion rights group endorses Senn for U.S. Senate |page=B4 |work=[[The News Tribune]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113462124/abortion-rights-group-endorses-senn-for/ |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |accessdate=November 21, 2022}}</ref> Early on, privacy became an issue; Senn cited her record protecting [[medical privacy]] as insurance commissioner, while Cantwell promoted [[internet privacy]] and cited her opposition to the [[Clipper chip]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Searcey |first=Dionne |date=August 6, 2000 |title=Cantwell's banking on her years as dot-com exec |page=A1 |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=20000806&slug=4035452 |work=The Seattle Times |accessdate=November 21, 2022}}</ref> Senn later used television advertisements to accuse Cantwell of avoiding debates, as she had agreed to two debates while Senn preferred more.<ref>{{cite news |last=Connelly |first=Joel |date=August 29, 2000 |title=Senn set to blitz airwaves with ads |page=B1 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref> They participated in three debates, during which they attacked each other. Senn attacked RealNetworks and Cantwell's role in the company; Cantwell accused Senn of wanting to run against RealNetworks, and said that Senn was uninformed on internet issues.<ref>{{cite news |last=Connelly |first=Joel |date=September 9, 2000 |title=Cantwell, Senn wage war of words |page=A1 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Camden |first=Jim |date=September 1, 2000 |title=Senn ads try for laughs, miss facts |page=B1 |work=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113462300/senn-ads-try-for-laughs-miss-facts/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 21, 2022}}</ref> Cantwell was endorsed by ''[[The Seattle Times]]'', the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'',<ref>{{cite news |date=August 31, 2000 |title=P-I Opinion: Maria Cantwell should face Slade Gorton in November election |page=B6 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref> ''[[The Spokesman-Review]]'', and ''[[The News Tribune]]''.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} She easily won her party's nomination, defeating Senn by a 3–1 margin in the primary.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Postman |first1=David |last2=Pryne |first2=Eric |last3=Lindblom |first3=Mike |last4=Gonzales |first4=Manny |date=September 20, 2000 |title=Cantwell overwhelms Senn; showdown with Gorton next |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Although he won re-nomination, Gorton got fewer votes than Cantwell and Senn's combined total.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ammons |first=David |date=September 21, 2000 |title=Gorton, Cantwell set to rumble |page=C2 |work=[[The Columbian]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113462396/gorton-cantwell-set-to-rumble/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 21, 2022}}</ref>

[[Social Security (United States)|Social security]], [[prescription drugs]], [[dams]], [[gun control]], and [[Campaign finance reform in the United States|campaign finance reform]] were among the most important issues in Cantwell's race against Gorton, which drew national attention.<ref>{{cite news |last=Searcey |first=Dionne |date=October 31, 2000 |title=Social Security, gold mine divide Gorton, Cantwell |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Cantwell also adopted the slogan "Your voice for a change", a veiled reference to Gorton's campaign theme in 1980, challenging incumbent [[Warren Magnuson]]'s age.<ref>{{cite news |last=Searcey |first=Dionne |date=October 11, 2000 |title=Age or longevity - Gorton's on the other end this time |page=A1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> She said Gorton supported "19th-century solutions to 21st-century problems".<ref>{{cite news |last=Balter |first=Joni |date=September 17, 2000 |title=The competition; Who will emerge victorious the U.S. Senate primary to face incumbent Slade Gorton? |page=E1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Cantwell was endorsed by ''[[The Seattle Times]]'' and the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'', the state's two biggest newspapers.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}} Gorton was endorsed by the smaller ''The News Tribune'' and two of the largest Eastern Washington newspapers, ''The Spokesman-Review'' and ''[[Tri-City Herald]]''.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 15, 2000 |title=Our view: Gorton a strong ally of the state's east side |page=B8 |work=The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113461998/spokesman-review-endorsement-in-2000/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 21, 2022}}</ref> At times, the campaign was accused of pettiness as national PACs and groups funded television attack advertisements.<ref>{{cite news |last=Madden |first=Mike |date=November 1, 2000 |title=Gorton faces tough fight |page=A1 |work=[[The Bellingham Herald]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113462988/gorton-faces-tough-fight/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 22, 2022}}</ref> After a Cantwell campaign worker [[deep linking|deep-linked]] to a humorous photo on Gorton's website, he accused Cantwell's campaign of hacking, and Senn accused Cantwell of hypocrisy. "Fiddling with people's websites and calling it good fun ... adds a very childish and unworthy character to the race", Senn's campaign spokeswoman Barbara Stenson said.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2000/06/fishy-linking-nets-campaign-war/ | title=Fishy Linking Nets Campaign War | magazine=Wired News | author=Manny Frishberg | date=June 15, 2000 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref> Cantwell spent over $10 million of her own money on her campaign, pledging not to accept money from [[Political action committee|PAC]]s. When RealNetworks stock declined at the end of 2000, she spent time raising funds for debt retirement, but kept her pledge not to accept PAC money.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/memberprofile.asp?CID=N00007836&Cycle=2006 | title=Cantwell, Maria (D-WA) | publisher=OpenSecrets.org | date=October 10, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061022121404/http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/memberprofile.asp?CID=N00007836&Cycle=2006 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 22, 2006}}</ref> In the waning weeks of the campaign, the [[Federal Election Commission]] ruled that Cantwell violated federal campaign finance law by securing $3.8 million in bank loans for her campaign and failing to properly disclose the loans until January 30, 2001.<ref name=finances>{{cite news|url=http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_021904WABcantwellfinancesJK.ad39ecc.html |title=Feds say Cantwell violated election law |publisher=KING-TV |date=February 19, 2004 |access-date=November 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927040756/http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_021904WABcantwellfinancesJK.ad39ecc.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The complaint alleged that she had received a $600,000 line of credit without sufficient collateral, and another $1,000,000, all at a preferential interest rate. After review, the Federal Election Commission sent a letter of admonishment, saying that the loans were "made on a basis that assures repayment, and that each loan bore the usual and customary interest rate".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fec.gov/press/press2004/20040223murs.html | title=MUR 5198 | publisher=Federal Election Commission | date=February 23, 2004 | access-date=November 7, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061104221601/http://www.fec.gov//press/press2004/20040223murs.html | archive-date=November 4, 2006 | df=mdy-all }}</ref>

The election was among the closest in Washington history.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ammons |first=David |date=November 4, 2004 |title=Governor's race is the closest in state history |page=A1 |work=[[Kitsap Sun]]}}</ref> Cantwell held a tiny lead in the initial returns on election night, but the race remained too close to call.<ref>{{cite news |date=November 8, 2000 |title=Cantwell holds slim lead |page=B1 |work=The Seattle Times}}</ref> Gorton overtook her the next day, amassing a lead of 12,500 votes by the second week of absentee ballot counting.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Connelly |first1=Joel |last2=Olsen |first2=Lise |last3=Sunde |first3=Scott |date=November 9, 2000 |title=Gorton, Cantwell also await outcome |page=A1 |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ammons |first=David |date=November 14, 2000 |title=Cantwell pins hopes on King County absentees |page=A2 |work=[[The Olympian]] |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113463116/cantwell-pins-hopes-on-king-county/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 22, 2022}}</ref> The election result was certified on November 22 with a lead of 1,953 votes for Cantwell out of 2.5 million cast, credited to support from the [[Puget Sound region]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Camden |first=Jim |date=November 23, 2000 |title=Votes give Cantwell first round in race to be Washington senator |page=A23 |work=The Spokesman-Review |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113463162/votes-give-cantwell-first-round-in-race/ |via=Newspapers.com |accessdate=November 22, 2022}}</ref><ref name="NYT-2000">{{cite news |last=Egan |first=Timothy |author-link=Timothy Egan |date=November 23, 2000 |title=Cantwell Declared Washington Victor |page=A24 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/23/us/cantwell-declared-washington-victor.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |accessdate=November 22, 2022}}</ref> The 0.08% margin triggered an automatic recount, which increased her lead to 2,229 votes, or 0.09%. It was the last Senate race to be called in the 2000 election, which resulted in a 50–50 tie ahead of a contentious [[2000 United States presidential election|presidential election]] recount.<ref>{{cite news |last=Dewar |first=Helen |date=December 2, 2000 |title=Cantwell Senate Victory Over Gorton Upheld |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2000/12/02/cantwell-senate-victory-over-gorton-upheld/7016aa09-fb82-4c87-aa32-b6334fcddd4a/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |accessdate=November 22, 2022}}</ref> Cantwell and [[Debbie Stabenow]] of Michigan became the third and fourth women to defeat incumbent senators, following [[Kay Bailey Hutchison]]'s 1993 and [[Dianne Feinstein]]'s 1992 special-election victories.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

==== 2006 ====
{{main|2006 United States Senate election in Washington}}

The close 2004 gubernatorial race between Democrat [[Christine Gregoire]] and Republican [[Dino Rossi]] suggested to many that the 2006 contest might go either way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/washington_poll_0520.htm |title=Poll Results — WA |date=May 17, 2005 |access-date=November 7, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060613221738/http://www.strategicvision.biz/political/washington_poll_0520.htm |archive-date=June 13, 2006}}</ref> Both Cantwell and her opponent Republican [[Mike McGavick]] dominated their primaries; initial speculation favored a Republican victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/PrimaryResults/Results.aspx?o=8f43af96-81c1-47c6-8b5f-3ad9dee0e6ad |title=2006 Primary Election Results |publisher=Washington Secretary of State |date=October 3, 2006 |access-date=November 7, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923205848/http://vote.wa.gov/elections/PrimaryResults/Results.aspx?o=8f43af96-81c1-47c6-8b5f-3ad9dee0e6ad |archive-date=September 23, 2006 }}</ref> "At one point", wrote analyst [[Larry Sabato]], "all the talk in this race concerned Cantwell's cool relations with anti-war Democratic elements and McGavick's relatively united base. But Democrats appear to have closed ranks behind their junior senator."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/article.php?id=LJS2006092101 | title=September 19 Primary Updates | publisher=Center of Politics | access-date=November 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013222153/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/article.php?id=LJS2006092101 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 13, 2006}}</ref> Cantwell was reelected by a 17-point margin, even winning several traditionally Republican counties in Eastern Washington, including [[Spokane County]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/general/Results.aspx?o=8f43af96-81c1-47c6-8b5f-3ad9dee0e6ad |title=2006 General Election Results |publisher=Washington Secretary of State |access-date=November 17, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061201103234/http://vote.wa.gov/Elections/general/Results.aspx?o=8f43af96-81c1-47c6-8b5f-3ad9dee0e6ad |archive-date=December 1, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/pages/results/states/WA/S/01/index.html | title=U.S. Senate, Washington | publisher=CNN | access-date=December 2, 2006}}</ref> [[File:Female senators.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Cantwell (seated in the middle of the couch) with other female Senators of the [[110th Congress]], which served from 2007 until 2009.]]

During the 2006 campaign, Cantwell received heavy criticism for declining most of the invitations she received to debate McGavick in public fora. Media outlets across the state, including ''[[The Olympian]]'' and the ''[[Yakima Herald-Republic]]'', rebuked her, claiming she was afraid to confront McGavick, calling it "unacceptable"<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/287131858081123 | title=Cantwell passes up chance to debate issues in vital region | publisher=Yakima Herald-Republic | date=September 27, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927192859/http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/287131858081123 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = September 27, 2007}}</ref> and "simply not fair". Cantwell agreed to two debates with McGavick in Seattle and Spokane, lasting 60 and 30 minutes, respectively. When she ran for Senate in 2000 against Gorton, Gorton also agreed to only two debates of a similar format. Similarly, when Washington's senior senator, [[Patty Murray]], ran for reelection in 2004, she agreed to only two debates with George Nethercutt, although each debate lasted an hour.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/287093_senate30.html | title=Cantwell, McGavick quibble over debates | publisher=Seattle P-I | author=Neil Modie | date=September 30, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref>

==== 2012 ====
{{main|2012 United States Senate election in Washington}}
Cantwell was reelected to a third term, defeating Republican State Senator [[Michael Baumgartner]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2019621398_elexsenatelocal07m.html|title='''Seattle Times''', As expected, Cantwell breezes to a third term in the U.S. Senate, November 6, 2012, retrieved Nov 8, 2012}}</ref>

==== 2018 ====
{{main|2018 United States Senate election in Washington}}
Cantwell was reelected to a fourth term, defeating Republican [[Susan Hutchison]].

===Tenure===
Cantwell was a proponent of the [[Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act|McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill]] of 2002, and co-sponsored the Clean Money, Clean Elections Act of 2001.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:SN00027:@@@P | title=S. 27 | publisher=Library of Congress | access-date=November 7, 2006 | archive-date=July 5, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705094730/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d107:SN00027:@@@P | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.publicampaign.org/pressroom/2001/04/06/comprehensive-campaign-finance-reform-enters-debate | title=Sen. Wellstone's Legislation Offers Alternative to Current System Through Public Financing | publisher=Clean Money Clean Elections PAC | date=April 5, 2004 | access-date=November 7, 2006 | url-status=usurped | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109024932/http://www.publicampaign.org/pressroom/2001/04/06/comprehensive-campaign-finance-reform-enters-debate | archive-date=November 9, 2006 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> In 2005, she wrote a letter in support of the [[Federal Perkins Loan|Perkins Loan]] program,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rcservices.com/letters_to_congress/July_28_2005%20Federal%20Perkins%20Loan%20letter.pdf | title=July 28, 2005 Federal Perkins Loan letter | date=July 28, 2005 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref> and told the ''Seattle Times'' in July 2006 that she opposed [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]] privatization.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003157740_senatesocsec28m.html | title=Where they stand on Social Security | newspaper=Seattle Times | date=July 28, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref> Cantwell co-sponsored the "Pension Fairness and Full Disclosure Act of 2005".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=s109-991 | title=S. 991: Pension Fairness and Full Disclosure Act of 2005 | publisher=Govtrack.US | date=May 10, 2005 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref>

Also in 2005, Cantwell voted for the [[Central America Free Trade Agreement]] (CAFTA), which angered many who opposed free trade agreements. Others argued that due to the state's unique economy, any senator from Washington almost had to vote for free trade pacts.
[[File:SaveTheNet 030619 (65 of 94) (46388010925).jpg|thumb|339x339px|Cantwell responding to a question at a press conference in 2019.]]
Citing his potential views on abortion and the environment, Cantwell was one of 22 senators to vote not to confirm [[United States Supreme Court]] nominee [[John G. Roberts|John Roberts]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Daly|first=Matthew|url=http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/cantwell-says-she-will-oppose-chief-justice-nominee-john-roberts/|title=Cantwell says she will oppose Chief Justice-nominee John Roberts|newspaper=Seattle Times|date=September 27, 2005|access-date=May 10, 2015}}</ref> In January 2006, after publicly announcing her opposition to Supreme Court nominee [[Samuel Alito]], Cantwell, 18 other Democrats and all 53 present Republicans, voted for the [[cloture]] motion.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/30/AR2006013001021.html | title=Senate to Vote On Alito Today | newspaper=Washington Post | author=Charles Babington | date=January 31, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref> The success of this motion ended an unlikely attempt to [[filibuster]] Alito's confirmation led by Senators [[John Kerry]] and [[Ted Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002598598_alito02.html | title=Alito filibuster is unlikely | newspaper=Seattle Times | date=November 2, 2005 | access-date=November 7, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929204037/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002598598_alito02.html | archive-date=September 29, 2007 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Alito was confirmed the next day by a vote of 58–42, with most Democrats, including Cantwell, voting against confirmation.

In 2010, Cantwell voted to invoke cloture to begin debate on the [[Don't ask, don't tell]] policy in the military.

In the [[2016 United States presidential election]], Cantwell received one electoral vote for vice president from a [[faithless elector]] in Washington.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/9uiAex46pVw Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20181117054640/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uiAex46pVw&pbj=prefetch&frags=pl&prefetch=1 Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uiAex46pVw|title=Watch a joint session of Congress confirm electoral college results|date=January 6, 2017 |via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Cantwell has led efforts to improve internet privacy laws.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Klepper |first1=David |title=Key lawmakers float new rules for personal data protection; bill would make privacy a consumer right |url=https://apnews.com/article/privacy-cantwell-consumer-ftc-social-media-algorithm-2f8a8d15a4e20ea11696c213ed57c5bc |website=Associated Press |date=April 7, 2024 |access-date=7 April 2024}}</ref>

====Abortion and contraceptives====
Cantwell has expressed support for making [[Plan B (drug)|Plan B]] contraceptives available to girls 16 and under. In 2007, she co-sponsored the Prevention First Act, a bill that sought to increase national access to [[family planning]] and preventative methods as a means to reduce unwanted pregnancies.<ref name="ontheissues.org">{{cite web|website=www.ontheissues.org|title= Maria Cantwell on Abortion|date= June 8, 2012|accessdate=November 15, 2012|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/social/Maria_Cantwell_Abortion.htm}}</ref> It included giving women access to Plan B, as well as expanding [[Medicaid]] to cover family planning.<ref name="ontheissues.org"/> As an advocate of increasing access to family planning and sexual health education, Cantwell argues that these venues for increased education are necessary to reduce unwanted pregnancies.<ref>{{cite web|website=www.thepoliticalguide.com|title= Maria Cantwell on Abortion|date= October 22, 2012 |accessdate=November 19, 2012|url=http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/Senate/Washington/Maria_Cantwell/Views/Abortion/}}</ref> She was criticized by her Republican challenger, State Senator Michael Baumgartner, who suggested that she was too extreme and too far to the left of Washington voters on this issue, and expressed concern about 11-year-olds getting these drugs without a prescription.<ref name="Morning After">{{cite news|title=Rival slams "unmarried" Cantwell's stance on morning-after pill|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politicsnorthwest/2017022077_baumgartner.html|newspaper=[[Seattle Times]] | first=Kyung M.|last=Song|date=December 15, 2011}}</ref>

Cantwell calls herself "100% [[pro-choice]]", and consistently supports the [[pro-choice movement]]'s positions. She was one of 34 senators to vote against the [[Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act]] of 2003, which President [[George W. Bush]] signed into law. She also voted against the [[Unborn Victims of Violence Act]], which made it an additional crime to kill or harm a fetus during a criminal assault upon the mother. That bill passed the Senate by a vote of 61–38, and was signed into law by Bush in 2004.

====Environment and energy====
Cantwell opposed drilling in the [[Arctic National Wildlife Refuge]] (ANWR), and was one of the most vocal critics of the increase of oil and gasoline prices during 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_9514415 | title=Senate told speculators causing oil madness | newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune | date=June 8, 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604161113/http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_9514415 | archive-date=June 4, 2011 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Advocating increased regulation of futures markets and [[windfall profits tax]]es on oil profits, she has drawn scathing criticism from the ''Wall Street Journal''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121305752341459355 | title=Dubai's Favorite Senators | publisher=The Wall Street journal | date=June 10, 2008}}</ref> In 2005, Cantwell scored what many perceived as one of the biggest victories of her first term when she blocked Senator [[Ted Stevens]]'s efforts to allow drilling in ANWR. Stevens attached the measure to a bill that provided money for defense spending and [[Hurricane Katrina]] recovery efforts. Cantwell rounded up the votes of 41 Democrats{{efn | Including one independent who caucused with the Democrats.}} and three Republicans, enough to block a final vote.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002698246_cantwell22m.html | title=Hulk meets his match in drilling fight | newspaper=Seattle Times | author=Alicia Mundy | date=December 22, 2005 | access-date=November 7, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527201922/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002698246_cantwell22m.html | archive-date=May 27, 2006 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> Stevens removed the [[ANWR]] drilling measure from the larger bill, promising to bring the matter up at a later date.

In 2004, Cantwell received the highest rating possible from the [[League of Conservation Voters]] for her environmental voting record.<ref name="League of Conservation Voters"/> As of 2020, she has a lifetime score of 93% on the League's National Environmental Scorecard.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/maria-cantwell |title=Senator Maria Cantwell |work=National Environmental Scorecard |publisher=[[League of Conservation Voters]] |access-date=August 29, 2017}}</ref> She is known for supporting alternative energy research and for protecting Washington's forests from logging and the construction of paved roads and has been endorsed by various prominent environmental advocacy groups.<ref name="League of Conservation Voters">{{cite web |url=http://www.lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/page.jsp?itemID=27813202 | title=League of Conservation Voters Endorses Senator Maria Cantwell for Re-Election | publisher=League of Conservation Voters | date=August 29, 2005 | access-date=November 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102053550/http://www.lcv.org/newsroom/press-releases/page.jsp?itemID=27813202 <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = November 2, 2006}}</ref><ref name="Maria Cantwell: U.S. Senator">{{cite web |url=http://cascade.sierraclub.org/node/545 | title=Maria Cantwell: U.S. Senator | publisher=Cascade Sierra Club | date=June 12, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref><ref name="Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund">{{cite web |url=http://www.defendersactionfund.org/releases/071706c.html | title=DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE ACTION FUND ENDORSES SENATOR MARIA CANTWELL IN HER 2006 RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN | publisher=Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund | date=July 17, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070924110151/http://www.defendersactionfund.org/releases/071706c.html | archive-date=September 24, 2007 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> She has opposed drilling in ANWR on multiple occasions, has voted to reduce oil usage by 40% by 2025, and has opposed legislation to relax or terminate CAFE standards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/Senate/Maria_Cantwell.htm|title=Maria Cantwell on the Issues|last=OnTheIssues.org|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> ''The Seattle Times'' has called Cantwell's environmental record "pristine",<ref>{{cite news|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002250292_sundayjoni24.html | work=The Seattle Times | title=Who is Maria Cantwell? | date=April 24, 2005}}</ref> and the [[The Wilderness Society (United States)|Wilderness Society]] has called her an "environmental champion".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wilderness.org/NewsRoom/Release/20070319.cfm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070501191802/http://www.wilderness.org/NewsRoom/Release/20070319.cfm|url-status=dead|title=Cantwell to Receive Ansel Adams Award for Commitment to Preserving Nation's Lands<!-- Bot generated title -->|archivedate=May 1, 2007}}</ref>

In 2009, Cantwell introduced the Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act (S. 2877), also called the Cantwell-Collins bill, a "cap and dividend" [[emissions trading]] proposal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cantwell.senate.gov/issues/CLEARAct.cfm |title=Maria Cantwell – U.S. Senator from Washington State |publisher=Cantwell.senate.gov |access-date=August 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814142453/http://cantwell.senate.gov/issues/CLEARAct.cfm |archive-date=August 14, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.grist.org/article/2009-12-14-defending-the-cantwell-collins-clear-act |title=Defending the Cantwell/Collins CLEAR Act |publisher=Grist |date=December 14, 2009 |access-date=August 29, 2010}}</ref><ref name=govtrack2877>{{cite web|url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-2877|title=Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act (2009 - S. 2877)|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://cantwell.senate.gov/issues/CLEARAct.cfm |title=Maria Cantwell - U.S. Senator from Washington State |access-date=July 30, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814142453/http://cantwell.senate.gov/issues/CLEARAct.cfm |archive-date=August 14, 2010}}</ref> Senator [[Susan Collins]] co-sponsored it.<ref name=loc2877/> The bill died in the [[United States Senate Committee on Finance|Senate Finance Committee]] without debate or votes.<ref name=govtrack2877/><ref name=loc2877>{{cite web |title=S.2877 - Carbon Limits and Energy for America's Renewal (CLEAR) Act |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |work=Congress.gov |date=December 11, 2009 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/2877}}</ref>

Cantwell chaired the [[Senate Democrats 20/20 Energy Independence]] campaign and co-chaired the Apollo Alliance in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.apolloalliance.org/partners.cfm#National_Advisory_Board | title=Apollo Partners National Advisory Board | publisher=Apollo Alliance | access-date=November 7, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061017095616/http://www.apolloalliance.org/partners.cfm#National_Advisory_Board <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 17, 2006}}</ref> One of her main accomplishments was the passage of an amendment "To prevent energy [[market manipulation]]", which passed 57–40 in the Senate in November 2006; a previous effort was defeated by a vote of 50–48.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00439 | title= S.Amdt. 2087 Vote Summary | publisher=United States Senate | date=November 5, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref>

In 2011, [[The Humane Society of the United States]] praised Cantwell's no-tolerance policy and effective removal of the practice of shark finning, which kills an estimated 73 million sharks per year.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pacelle|first1=Wayne|title=Cantwell draws praise from Humane Society|url=http://www.theolympian.com/2011/01/15/1506948/cantwell-draws-praise-from-humane.html|access-date=August 14, 2014|publisher=The Olympian|date=January 15, 2011}}</ref>

In February 2019, in response to reports that the EPA intended to decide against setting limits for [[perfluorooctane sulfonic acid]] ([[Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid|PFOS]]) and [[perfluorooctanoic acid]] (PFOA) in drinking water as part of an upcoming national strategy to manage the chemicals, Cantwell was one of 20 senators to sign a letter to Acting EPA Administrator [[Andrew R. Wheeler]] calling on the EPA "to develop enforceable federal drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS, as well as institute immediate actions to protect the public from contamination from additional per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/428102-senators-call-on-epa-to-restrict-key-drinking-water-contaminants/|title=Senators call on EPA to restrict key drinking water contaminants|date=February 1, 2019|newspaper=The Hill}}</ref>

In September 2019, Cantwell was one of eight senators to sign a bipartisan letter to congressional leadership, requesting full and lasting funding of the Land and Water Conservation Act, in order to aid national parks and public lands, benefit the $887 billion American outdoor recreation economy, and "ensure much-needed investment in our public lands and continuity for the state, tribal, and non-federal partners who depend on them".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.havredailynews.com/story/2019/09/19/local/tester-daines-push-for-full-funding-of-conservation-fund/525475.html|title=Tester, Daines push for full funding of conservation fund|date=September 19, 2019|publisher=Havre Daily News}}</ref>

====Foreign policy====
=====Criticism of Amanda Knox's wrongful conviction=====
On December 4, 2009, the day that an Italian court wrongly convicted 22-year-old Washingtonian [[Amanda Knox]] of the [[murder of Meredith Kercher]], Cantwell released a statement expressing her dismay, saying she had "serious questions about the Italian justice system and whether anti-Americanism tainted [the] trial." She called the evidence against Knox insufficient, said Knox had been subjected to "harsh treatment" after her arrest, and said there had been "negligence" in the handling of evidence. She also complained that jurors had not been [[Jury sequestration|sequestered]], allowing them to view "negative news coverage" about Knox, and that one of the prosecutors had a misconduct case pending in relation to another trial.<ref name="Press Release of Senator Cantwell">
{{cite web |url=https://cantwell.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=320475 |title=Press Release of Senator Cantwell |access-date=December 22, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213010558/http://cantwell.senate.gov/news/record.cfm?id=320475 |archive-date=December 13, 2009 }}</ref> Cantwell said she would seek assistance from [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]]. A State Department spokesman said in December 2009 that the department had followed the case closely and would continue to do so. He added: "It is still in the early days but&nbsp;...&nbsp;we haven't received any indications necessarily that Italian law was not followed."<ref>[https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2009/dec/133266.htm US Department of State: Ian Kelly, Department Spokesman. Daily Press Briefing, Washington, DC 7 December 2009 Retrieved March 1, 2010.]</ref> Knox was later exonerated.<ref name=washpost>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/03/27/italian-high-court-overturns-amanda-knox-murder-conviction/ |title=Italian high court overturns Amanda Knox murder conviction |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=March 28, 2015}}</ref>

=====Iraq War=====
On October 11, 2002, Cantwell voted in favor of the [[Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq]]. Her October 10, 2002, press release, quotes her as stating on the floor of the U.S. Senate, "Mr. President, my vote for this resolution does not mean that I am convinced of the Administration has answered all the questions. I believe the following issues must be addressed before the U.N. or the U.S. move forward with military action." Cantwell detailed six specific areas in which her questions and concerns had yet to be satisfactorily addressed at the time of her vote to authorize war: "First: Continued Multilateral Approach ... Second: Successful Military Strategy ... Third: A Post-War Commitment Strategy ... Fourth: Fighting the Broader War on Terrorism ... Fifth: Maintaining Middle East Stability ... Sixth: Protecting Iraqi Civilians."

In 2006, Cantwell voted against the [[Kerry-Feingold Amendment]] to S. 2766, which would have set a timetable for [[wikt:withdraw|withdraw]]al,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00181 | title=S.Amdt. 4442 Vote Summary| publisher=United States Senate | date=June 22, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref> but for the Levin-Reed Amendment,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00182 | title=S.Amdt. 4320 Vote Summary | publisher=United States Senate | date=June 22, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref> which would encourage beginning a phased withdrawal by the end of the year, with no timetable for completion.

=====Israel=====
In April 2017, Cantwell co-sponsored the [[Israel Anti-Boycott Act]] (S.270), which would have made it a federal crime, punishable by a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2017/07/senate-bill-would-make-it-a-federal-crime-to-boycott-israel.html|title=43 Senators Want to Make It a Federal Crime to Boycott Israeli Settlements|last=Levitz|first=Eric|date=July 19, 2017|website=Intelligencer|language=en}}</ref> for Americans to encourage or participate in boycotts against Israel and [[Israeli settlement]]s in the occupied [[Israeli-occupied territories|Palestinian territories]] if protesting actions by the Israeli government.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/720/cosponsors|title=Cosponsors - S.720 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Israel Anti-Boycott Act|date=March 23, 2017|website=[[congress.gov]]}}</ref>

====Health care reform====
Cantwell supports [[health care reform in the United States]], and was a co-sponsor of Senator [[Ron Wyden]]'s [[Healthy Americans Act]]. In her role as a member of the [[U.S. Senate Committee on Finance|Finance Committee]], she had an influential role in crafting health care reform legislation. On September 29, 2009, when the Finance Committee considered health care reform legislation, Cantwell supported amendments to establish a public health care option that would compete with private insurers.<ref name="The Stranger">The public health care proposals were not approved by the committee.
{{cite web
|url=http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/07/01/more-cantwell-vs-cantwell-vs-cantwell
|title=More Cantwell vs cantwell vs Cantwell
|access-date=July 20, 2009
|publisher=thestranger.com
}}
</ref>

In 2009, ''[[The Stranger (newspaper)|The Stranger]]'' ran an article on Cantwell's opposition to the inclusion of a public option in the health-care reform plan. They reported: "Seattle congressman Jim McDermott supports it. Washington senator Patty Murray wants it. So does President Barack Obama. So does the often conservative ''Seattle Times'' editorial page. So do 72 percent of Americans, according to a recent poll. So what's going on with Washington's junior senator, Maria Cantwell? Why doesn't she want Congress to include a public option — a new government-run health-care plan that will be available to everyone, and will compete with private insurance companies to bring down costs — in its health-care-reform package?"<ref name=Stranger>{{cite news|title=What's Up with Maria Cantwell?|url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/whats-up-with-maria-cantwell/Content?oid=1740985|newspaper=The Stranger}}</ref> Cantwell cited her concerns with getting the bill through the Senate as the reason for her opposition.<ref name=Stranger/>

==== LGBTQ+ Rights ====
In 2022, Cantwell voted for the [[Respect for Marriage Act]], legislation intended to codify [[Same-sex marriage in the United States|same-sex marriage rights]] into federal law.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Mourtoupalas and Blanco |date=November 29, 2022 |title=Here's which senators voted for or against the Respect for Marriage Act |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2022/senator-vote-count-respect-for-marriage-act/}}</ref>

====Immigration====
In 2006, Cantwell, along with 38 of 44 Senate Democrats, voted for the [[Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2006]] ([[S. 2611]]).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00157 | title=S. 2611 Vote Summary | publisher=United States Senate | date=May 25, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006}}</ref> This legislation included provisions to improve border security, increased fines and other punishments for employers of illegal immigrants, created a guest worker program (which included a near doubling of the number of H1-B [[Visa (document)|visas]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/issues/H1bvisa/index.html | title=The H-1B and L-1 Visas and America's High-Tech Workforce | publisher=IEEE-USA | access-date=November 7, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208212650/http://www.ieeeusa.org/policy/issues/H1bvisa/index.html | archive-date=December 8, 2006 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> and created a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants already in the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02611:@@@D&summ2=m& | title=S.2611 | publisher=Library of Congress | date=May 25, 2006 | access-date=November 7, 2006 | archive-date=November 27, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127205953/http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:SN02611:@@@D&summ2=m& | url-status=dead }}</ref> The bill, with support from Republican leadership, passed 62–36. Debate would have also commenced on the [[DREAM Act]], but was halted by a Republican filibuster.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.votesmart.org/issue_keyvote_detail.php?cs_id=32098&can_id=27122|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref>

==== Minimum wage ====
In March 2021, Cantwell was among the 42 Democrats to vote unsuccessfully to include a [[Fight for $15|$15 hourly minimum wage]] in [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021|the American Rescue Plan]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Everett|first=Burgess|title=8 Democrats defect on $15 minimum wage hike|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/05/democrats-15-minimum-wage-hike-473875|access-date=2021-03-30|website=POLITICO|date=March 5, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

====Sexual abuse in Olympic sports====
Cantwell chairs the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, which has jurisdiction over the [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee]] (USOPC), the [[United States Center for SafeSport]] (SafeSport), and the issue of sexual abuse in Olympic sports.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ussquash.org/2021/07/equal-pay-for-team-usa-act-introduced-in-congress/|title='Equal Pay for Team USA Act' Introduced in Congress &#124; US Squash|first=Chris|last=McClintick|date=July 14, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stateofswimming.com/nancy-hogshead-makar-among-four-leading-women-appointed-to-usopc-commission/|title=Nancy Hogshead-Makar Among Four Leading Women Appointed To USOPC Commission|date=April 2, 2021|website=StateOfSwimming}}</ref> She has praised the [[Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017]], crafted to protect athletes from emotional and physical abuse and harassment, which created SafeSport to prevent and respond to misconduct.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/cantwell-touts-landmark-washington-state-anti-concussion-law-at-commerce-sports-hearing|title=Cantwell Touts Landmark Washington State Anti-Concussion Law at Commerce Sports Hearing &#124; U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington|website=www.cantwell.senate.gov}}</ref>

====Support for fellow Democrats====
Cantwell is a major supporter of fellow Democratic candidates for public office. In 2006, facing her own challenging race, she used [[ActBlue]] to raise $100,000 for [[Darcy Burner]], [[Peter J. Goldmark]], and Richard Wright, all of whom were facing difficult House races in Washington. In the 2008 cycle, Cantwell was particularly committed to supporting Senator [[Mary Landrieu]]'s reelection.

[[File:Maria Cantwell DNC 2008.jpg|200px|thumb|Cantwell speaks during the second day of the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] in [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Colorado]].]]
On December 31, 2007, Cantwell became the 10th senator to endorse [[Hillary Clinton]] for [[President of the United States]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/12/31/america/31campaign.php?page=2 | title = Saying he pulled negative ad, Huckabee shows it | newspaper = The International Herald Tribune | date=December 31, 2007 | access-date = January 1, 2008 | author = Katharine Q. Seelye}}</ref> She supported Clinton throughout the primaries,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=515434 | title=The Superdelegate Mess | author=Eli Stone | work=The Stranger | date=February 19, 2008 | access-date=February 29, 2008}}</ref> but vowed to vote for the winner of the pledged delegates.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/03/03242008_Cantwell-supporting-Clinton--for-now.cfm | title=Cantwell supporting Clinton – for now | author=Kathie Durbin | date=March 24, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327191013/http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/03/03242008_Cantwell-supporting-Clinton--for-now.cfm/ | archive-date=March 27, 2008 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> After Clinton conceded on June 7, Cantwell endorsed Obama.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/06/06082008_Cantwell-flips-and-endorses-Obama.cfm | title=Cantwell Flips and Endorses Obama | work=[[The Columbian]] | date=June 8, 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610103717/http://www.columbian.com/news/localNews/2008/06/06082008_Cantwell-flips-and-endorses-Obama.cfm | archive-date=June 10, 2008 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> At the Washington State Democratic Convention on June 15, she said: "I do want to see a strong Democratic woman in the White House ... That's why I'm so glad Michelle Obama will be the next first lady."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/389424.html | title=Cheers, Jeers at the State Democratic Convention in Spokane | publisher=[[The News Tribune]] | location=Spokane | author=Niki Sullivan | date=June 15, 2008 | access-date=June 15, 2008 | archive-date=April 16, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416030252/https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/389424.html | url-status=dead }}</ref>

On October 20, 2013, Cantwell was one of 16 female Democratic senators to sign a letter endorsing [[Hillary Clinton]] as the Democratic nominee in the [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/188687-report-democratic-women-senators-sign-letter-urging-hillary-clinton-to-run/|title=Run, Hillary, run, say Senate's Dem women|first=Alexandra|last=Jaffe|date=October 30, 2013|access-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref>

===Committee assignments===
Cantwell's committee assignments for the 118th Congress are as follows:<ref name="118thCongressAssignments">{{Cite web|url=https://www.senate.gov/general/committee_assignments/assignments.htm|title=Committee Assignments of the 118th Congress|access-date=2023-03-17|website=United States Senate}}</ref>
*'''[[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation|Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation]] (Chair)'''
** As Chair, Cantwell is an ''ex officio'' member of all subcommittees.
*[[United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources|Committee on Energy and Natural Resources]] 
*[[United States Senate Committee on Finance|Committee on Finance]]
**[[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure|Subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure]]
**[[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care|Subcommittee on Health Care]]
**[[United States Senate Finance Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight|Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight]]
*[[United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs|Committee on Indian Affairs]]
*[[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship]]
*[[Joint Committee on Taxation]]

===Caucus memberships===
*[[Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues]]<ref name="Members">{{cite web|title=Sen. Maria Cantwell|website=[[Roll Call]]|url=https://media.cq.com/members/1091|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621001356/http://media.cq.com/members/1091|archive-date=June 21, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=September 2020}}
*[[Congressional Hazards Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Caucus Members {{!}} Hazards Caucus Alliance|url=https://www.hazardscaucus.org/caucus-members|access-date=2021-03-15|website=www.hazardscaucus.org}}</ref>
*[[Congressional Internet Caucus]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
*[[Congressional Wine Caucus]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
*[[Senate National Guard Caucus]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}
*[[Senate New Democrat Coalition]]<ref name="sen-new-dem">{{cite web|url=http://www.newdem.org/coalition/sndcmembers.shtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020313004201/http://www.newdem.org/coalition/sndcmembers.shtml|archive-date=March 13, 2002|url-status=usurped|title=Senate New Democrat Coalition Members}}</ref>
*[[Senate Steel Caucus]]{{Citation needed|date=September 2020}}

==Personal life==
In 2006, it emerged that court files concerning a loan Cantwell made in 2001 to her former boyfriend, boss, and campaign manager, lobbyist Ron Dotzauer, to help him through his divorce litigation, had been sealed. A Sound Politics reporter had the file unsealed and discovered that Cantwell was identified in the divorce records "as the 'other woman'".<ref name="Other woman">{{cite web|title=Maria Cantwell was the "other woman" in lobbyist's divorce|url=http://www.soundpolitics.com/archives/007001.html|publisher=Sound Politics|access-date=April 13, 2012|archive-date=February 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203223800/http://www.soundpolitics.com/archives/007001.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Cantwell was also formerly in a relationship with Seattle-based track and cross country star Scott Daggatt, then serving as a stockbroker of a Seattle-based National Securities Corporation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19941214&slug=1947038|title=Is Cantwell Keeping Fast Company? &#124; The Seattle Times|website=archive.seattletimes.com}}</ref>

Owing to a sharp decrease in the value of her [[RealNetworks]] stock, Cantwell's personal fortune had declined significantly by 2011.<ref name="2000 Campaign">{{cite news|title=Cantwell Still Owed $2M From Her 2000 Campaign |url=http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_148/Maria-Cantwell-Still-Owed-Two-Million-From-Her-2000-Campaign-206939-1.html |newspaper=Roll Call |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120420080933/http://www.rollcall.com/issues/56_148/Maria-Cantwell-Still-Owed-Two-Million-From-Her-2000-Campaign-206939-1.html |archive-date=April 20, 2012 |access-date=January 3, 2019}}</ref>

==Electoral history==
{{Election box begin
 | title      = [[2000 United States Senate election in Washington|2000 Washington US Senate general election results]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2000/2000Stat.htm#47|title = Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Maria Cantwell
 | votes      = 1,199,437
 | percentage = 48.73%
 | change     = +4.48%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Slade Gorton]] (incumbent)
 | votes      = 1,197,208
 | percentage = 48.64%
 | change     = -7.11%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Jeff Jared
 | votes      = 64,734
 | percentage = 2.63%
 | change     = +2.6%
}}
{{Election box plurality
 | votes      = 2,229
 | percentage = 0.09%
 | change     = 
}}
{{Election box turnout
 | votes      = 2,461,379
 | percentage = 100%
 | change     = +761,206
}}
{{Election box gain with party link no swing
 | winner = Democratic Party (United States)
 | loser  = Republican Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
 | title      = 2006 Washington US Senate Democratic primary results
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Maria Cantwell (Incumbent)
 | votes      = 570,677
 | percentage = 90.76%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Hong Tran]]
 | votes      = 33,124 
 | percentage = 5.27%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Uncle Mover|Mike The Mover]]
 | votes      = 11,274
 | percentage = 1.79%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Goodspaceguy|Michael Goodspaceguy Nelson]]
 | votes      = 9,454
 | percentage = 1.50%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Mohammad H. Said
 | votes      = 4,222
 | percentage = 0.67%
}}
{{Election box total no change
 | votes      = 628,751
 | percentage = 100%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin
 | title      = [[2006 United States Senate election in Washington|2006 Washington US Senate general election results]]
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Maria Cantwell (Incumbent)
 | votes      = 1,184,659
 | percentage = 56.81%
 | change     = +8.08
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Mike McGavick]]
 | votes      = 832,106
 | percentage = 39.91%
 | change     = -8.73
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Libertarian Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Bruce Guthrie
 | votes      = 29,331
 | percentage = 1.41%
 | change     = -1.22
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Green Party (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Aaron Dixon]]
 | votes      = 21,254
 | percentage = 1.02%
 | change     = ''n/a''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Independent (United States)
 | candidate  = Robin Adair
 | votes      = 16,384
 | percentage = 0.79%
 | change     = ''n/a''
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link
 | votes      = 1,445
 | percentage = 0.07%
 | change     = ''n/a''
}}
{{Election box majority
 | votes      = 343,084
 | percentage = 16.90%
 | change     = 
}}
{{Election box turnout
 | votes      = 2,085,179
 | percentage = 63.81%
 | change     = 
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
  |winner     = Democratic Party (United States)
  |swing      = +8.37
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2012 Washington US Senate [[blanket primary]] results<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vote.wa.gov/results/current/US-Senator.html|title = Voter Portal}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = Maria Cantwell (incumbent)
| party      = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes      = 626,360
| percentage = 55.42
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = [[Michael Baumgartner]]
| party      = Republican Party (United States)
| votes      = 344,729
| percentage = 30.50
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = Art Coday
| party      = Republican Party (United States)
| votes      = 59,255
| percentage = 5.24
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = Timothy Wilson
| party      = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes      = 26,850
| percentage = 2.38
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = Chuck Jackson
| party      = Republican Party (United States)
| votes      = 21,870
| percentage = 1.94
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = Glenn R. Stockwell
| party      = Republican Party (United States)
| votes      = 21,731
| percentage = 1.92
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = [[Uncle Mover|Mike The Mover]]
| party      = Republican Party (United States)
| votes      = 16,459
| percentage = 1.46
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate  = Will Baker
| party      = Reform Party (United States)
| votes      = 12,865
| percentage = 1.14
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes      = 1,130,119
| percentage = 100
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[United States Senate election in Washington, 2012|2012 Washington US Senate general election results]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20121106/us-senator.html|title=U.S. Senator|website=results.vote.wa.gov}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Maria Cantwell (incumbent)
 | votes      = 1,855,493
 | percentage = 60.36%
 | change     = +3.55%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Michael Baumgartner]]
 | votes      = 1,213,924
 | percentage = 39.49%
 | change     = -0.42%
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link
 | votes      = 4,644
 | percentage = 0.15%
 | change = +0.08%
}}
{{Election box total
 | votes      = 3,074,061
 | percentage = 100.0%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
 | winner      = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change
| title = 2018 Washington US Senate [[blanket primary]] results<ref name="primary election results">{{cite web|title=United States Senate primary election in Washington, 2018|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20180807/US-Senator.html|publisher=Office of the Washington Secretary of State|access-date=June 6, 2019}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Maria Cantwell (incumbent)
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 929,961
| percentage = 54.68%
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Susan Hutchison]]
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 413,317
| percentage = 24.30%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Keith Swank
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 39,818
| percentage = 2.34%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Joey Gibson
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 38,676
| percentage = 2.27%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Clint Tannehill
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 35,770
| percentage = 2.10%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Dave Bryant
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 33,962
| percentage = 2.00%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Art Coday
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 30,654
| percentage = 1.80%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jennifer Gigi Ferguson
| party = Independent (United States)
| votes = 25,224
| percentage = 1.48%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Tim Owen
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 23,167
| percentage = 1.36%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matt Hawkins
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 13,324
| percentage = 0.78%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Don L. Rivers
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 12,634
| percentage = 0.74%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Mike Luke
| party = Libertarian Party (United States)
| votes = 12,302
| percentage = 0.72%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Glen R. Stockwell
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 11,611
| percentage = 0.68%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Thor Amundson
| party = Independent (United States)
| votes = 9,393
| percentage = 0.55%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Mohammad Said
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 8,649
| percentage = 0.51%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Matthew D. Heines
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 7,737
| percentage = 0.45%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Steve Hoffman
| party = Freedom Socialist Party
| votes = 7,390
| percentage = 0.43%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = [[Goodspaceguy|Michael Goodspaceguy Nelson]]
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 7,057
| percentage = 0.41%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = John Orlinski
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 6,905
| percentage = 0.41%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Dave Strider
| party = Independent (United States)
| votes = 6,821
| percentage = 0.40%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Roque "Rocky" De La Fuente
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 5,724
| percentage = 0.34%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = James Robert "Jimmie" Deal
| party = Green Party (United States)
| votes = 3,849
| percentage = 0.23%
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Sam Wright
| party = The Human Rights Party
| votes = 3,761
| percentage = 0.22%
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Brad Chase
| party = FDFR Party
| votes = 2,655
| percentage = 0.16%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = George H. Kalberer
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| votes = 2,448
| percentage = 0.14%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Charlie R. Jackson
| party = Independent (United States)
| votes = 2,411
| percentage = 0.14%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = R. C. Smith
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| votes = 2,238
| percentage = 0.13%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| candidate = Jon Butler
| party = Independent (United States)
| votes = 2,016
| percentage = 0.12%
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
| candidate = Alex Tsimerman
| party = StandUpAmerica
| votes = 1,366
| percentage = 0.08%
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 1,700,840
| percentage=100%
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[United States Senate election in Washington, 2018|2018 Washington US Senate general election results]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://results.vote.wa.gov/results/20181106/us-senator.html|title=November 6, 2018 General Election Results - U.S. Senator|website=results.vote.wa.gov}}</ref>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
 | party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 | candidate  = Maria Cantwell (incumbent)
 | votes      = 1,803,364
 | percentage = 58.31%
 | change     = -2.05%
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
 | party      = Republican Party (United States)
 | candidate  = [[Susan Hutchison]]
 | votes      = 1,282,804
 | percentage = 41.48%
 | change     = +1.99%
}}
{{Election box write-in with party link
 | votes      = 6,461
 | percentage = 0.21%
 | change = +0.06%
}}
{{Election box total
 | votes      = 3,092,629
 | percentage = 100%
 | change     = N/A
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
| winner = Democratic Party (United States)
}}
{{Election box end}}

==See also==
*[[Women in the United States House of Representatives]]
*[[Women in the United States Senate]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Maria Cantwell}}
{{Wikisource author}}
*[https://cantwell.senate.gov/ Senator Maria Cantwell] official U.S. Senate website
*[https://www.cantwell.com/ Maria Cantwell for Senate]
*{{C-SPAN|26137}}
{{CongLinks | congbio=c000127 | votesmart=27122 | fec=S8WA00194 | congress=maria-cantwell/172}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Offices and distinctions
| list1 =
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-wa-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=Jeanine Long}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[Washington House of Representatives]]<br>from the [[Washington's 44th legislative district|44th]] district<br>Position 1|years=1987–1993}}
{{s-aft|after=Jeanine Long}}

{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[John Miller (Washington politician)|John Miller]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Washington|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br/>from [[Washington's 1st congressional district]]|years=1993–1995}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Rick White (politician)|Rick White]]}}

{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Ron Sims]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] nominee for [[List of United States senators from Washington|U.S. Senator]] from [[Washington (state)|Washington]]<br/>([[Classes of United States senators|Class 1]])|years=[[2000 United States Senate election in Washington|2000]], [[2006 United States Senate election in Washington|2006]], [[2012 United States Senate election in Washington|2012]], [[2018 United States Senate election in Washington|2018]], [[2024 United States Senate election in Washington|2024]]}}
{{s-inc|recent}}

{{s-par|us-sen}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Slade Gorton]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of United States senators from Washington|U.S. Senator (Class 1) from Washington]]|years=2001–present|alongside=[[Patty Murray]]}}
{{s-inc}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Daniel Akaka]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs|Senate Indian Affairs Committee]]|years=2013–2014}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jon Tester]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Mary Landrieu]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship|Senate Small Business Committee]]|years=2014–2015}}
{{s-aft|after=[[David Vitter]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Lisa Murkowski]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources|Senate Energy Committee]]|years=2015–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Joe Manchin]]}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Bill Nelson]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Ranking Member of the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation|Senate Commerce Committee]]|years=2019–2021}}
{{s-aft|after=Roger Wicker}}

{{s-bef|before=[[Roger Wicker]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation|Senate Commerce Committee]]|years=2021–present}}
{{s-inc}}

{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Debbie Stabenow]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as United States Senator}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[John Cornyn]]}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[Seniority in the United States Senate|United States senators by seniority]]|years=12th}}
{{s-end}}
}}

{{Navboxes
| title = Articles and topics related to Maria Cantwell
| list1 =
{{WA-FedRep}}
{{Current U.S. senators}}
{{US Senate Commerce chairs}}
{{USSenChairs}}
{{USSenWA}}
{{SenIndianAffairsCommitteeChairmen}}
{{U.S. Senate Small Business Committee Chairs}}
}}
{{USCongRep-start |congresses=103rd, 107th–present [[United States Congress]] |state=[[Washington (state)|Washington]]}}
{{USCongRep/WA/103}}
{{USCongRep/WA/107}}
{{USCongRep/WA/108}}
{{USCongRep/WA/109}}
{{USCongRep/WA/110}}
{{USCongRep/WA/111}}
{{USCongRep/WA/112}}
{{USCongRep/WA/113}}
{{USCongRep/WA/114}}
{{USCongRep/WA/115}}
{{USCongRep/WA/116}}
{{USCongRep/WA/117}}
{{USCongRep/WA/118}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cantwell, Maria}}
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American legislators]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Democratic Party United States senators from Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Female members of the United States House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Female United States senators]]
[[Category:Indiana Democrats]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Democratic Party members of the Washington House of Representatives]]
[[Category:Miami University alumni]]
[[Category:People from Edmonds, Washington]]
[[Category:People from Mountlake Terrace, Washington]]
[[Category:Politicians from Indianapolis]]
[[Category:Washington (state) Democrats]]
[[Category:Women state legislators in Washington (state)]]