Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (born January 10, 1959) is an American attorney and politician serving as the senior United States Senator from Maryland since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously represented Maryland's 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2017 and served in the Maryland State Senate from 1995 to 2003. Van Hollen's political career began after working as an attorney, and he was recruited into politics by fellow Democrat Steny Hoyer. Known for his advocacy on behalf of everyday Marylanders and challenging special interests, he has focused on issues like education, environmental protection, and economic policy during his tenure in Congress and the Senate.

Van Hollen's early life was shaped by his father's career as a U.S. State Department Foreign Service officer, leading to time spent in Pakistan, India, and various U.S. locations. He pursued higher education at Swarthmore College, earning a bachelor's degree in 1982, followed by a master's in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School in 1985, and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 1990. Before entering elected office, he worked in legislative affairs and as a staffer, building expertise in public policy. As a state senator, he gained a reputation for fiscal responsibility and progressive reforms.

In the U.S. Senate, Van Hollen has been active on committees including Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and Foreign Relations, emphasizing international diplomacy and domestic economic issues. He continues to represent Maryland's interests, drawing on his international upbringing to inform his foreign policy views. His professional relationship with Steny Hoyer highlights his integration into Democratic leadership networks.