As Democrats scramble to set a new course after their wipe-out in the presidential election last week, former Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) is kicking the tires on a possible run to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee.
O’Malley is one of several Democrats who have been mentioned as potential contenders to replace Jaime Harrison as the DNC chair in early 2025.
Colm O’Comartun, a former top O’Malley aide who was executive director of the Democratic Governors Association when O’Malley chaired that political committee, said several party leaders and activists have reached out to the former Maryland governor since Election Day and are urging him to consider a bid.
“He really believes in building the party and building the organization and helping people who want to run for office,” O’Comartun said of his ex-boss.
O’Malley currently heads the Social Security Administration, but his term runs out in late January, days after former President Donald Trump is set to be sworn in as the 47th president. The chances of O’Malley being reappointed to the post — and his desire to serve under Trump — are zero.
Even so, O’Malley is prevented by the federal Hatch Act from conducting political activities while he remains in the SSA job, so former aides are informally guiding him and helping him reach out to fellow Democrats, O’Comartun and three other former O’Malley advisers said this week.
