Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has officially thrown his hat into the ring for the position of chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). O'Malley, who previously served as the mayor of Baltimore and governor of Maryland, made the announcement on Monday, marking the first official bid for the position.
In a social media post, O'Malley emphasized the importance of connecting the Democratic Party with the everyday concerns of American families, focusing on issues such as jobs, opportunity, economic security, and a 50-state strategy. He expressed his commitment to getting things done and bringing hope to the party.
O'Malley, who currently serves as the commissioner of the Social Security Administration in President Biden's administration, is vying to succeed current DNC chair Jaime Harrison, whose term is set to end early next year. Harrison, facing disappointing election results for the Democrats, is unlikely to seek a second term.
In an interview, O'Malley positioned himself as a proven operational leader and a turnaround manager, highlighting the need for the party to address its challenges and focus on solutions rather than assigning blame. He has already secured endorsements from three DNC members and is actively engaging with others to garner support for his candidacy.
While O'Malley is the first to officially announce his bid for DNC chair, other potential candidates are expected to enter the race. Among them is Rahm Emanuel, a former congressman, Chicago mayor, White House chief of staff, and current U.S. ambassador to Japan. Emanuel has reportedly been reaching out to DNC members as he considers a possible bid.
The next DNC chair will be chosen by approximately 450 voting members of the national party committee. As the Democratic Party seeks to regroup following recent electoral losses, the selection of a new chair will be a crucial decision in shaping the party's future direction.
