[1] Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 3, 1946, McFadden attended high school at the Baltimore City College, graduating in 1964.

from Morgan State College in geography & history education in 1968.

McFadden was chairman of the Baltimore City Senate Delegation.

He was the President Pro Tem of the Senate after serving as the Majority Leader from 2003 to 2007.

Member, Budget and Taxation Committee, 1995- (public safety, transportation, economic development & natural resources subcommittee, 1995–99; pensions subcommittee, 1995-; education, business & administration subcommittee, 2000-; vice-chair, capital budget subcommittee, 2007-, member, 2003-); Special Joint Committee on Pensions, 1995-; In December 2007, McFadden was chosen by the Obama for President campaign to appear on the ballot as a male delegate for Obama from Maryland's 7th congressional district.