Ex-Maryland Gov. O’Malley says he won’t seek to lead DNC

Published 10:32 am Wednesday, November 16, 2016

<span class="RACopyBody">BALTIMORE — Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley says he won’t seek to become chairman of the Democratic National Committee.</span>

<span class="RACopyBody">O’Malley released a statement Wednesday saying he’s grateful to friends who urged him to consider running, but he won’t seek the chairmanship. He says the committee needs a chairman "who can do the job fully and with total impartiality."</span>

<span class="RACopyBody">The announcement comes days after O’Malley said he was "taking a hard look" at the position after being approached by "many Democrats who believe our party needs new leadership."</span>

<span class="RACopyBody">O’Malley ran for president, but he ended his campaign in early February midway through vote-counting in the Iowa caucuses after his bid failed to gain traction against Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.</span>

<span class="RACopyBody">He is a former two-term governor and Baltimore mayor.</span>