**Martin O'Malley Announces Bid for Democratic National Committee Chair**

In a significant move for the Democratic Party, former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has declared his candidacy for the chair of the Democratic National Committee (D.N.C.). This announcement makes him the first to enter the race to lead the beleaguered party, which currently faces a challenging period of political inactivity in Washington.

O'Malley, who also served as Baltimore mayor and most recently held the position of commissioner of the Social Security Administration, made his candidacy public on Monday. His decision marks the beginning of what is anticipated to be a competitive contest for the D.N.C. chairmanship. Democrats are bracing for two years without control of the White House or either chamber of Congress, aiming to counter the policies of a potential second Trump administration.

At the age of 61, O'Malley brings a wealth of experience to his bid. He previously chaired the Democratic Governors Association and made an unsuccessful run for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016. In a recent interview, O'Malley expressed his confidence in managing organizational turnarounds, describing himself as a "proven operational leader and a turnaround manager."

His campaign for D.N.C. chair begins with endorsements from three committee members, and O'Malley is actively engaging in discussions with additional members. The election, involving the votes of the 447 D.N.C. committee members, is expected to occur in early 2025. Despite the seemingly insular nature of this election, the position holds national significance as the Democratic Party navigates its current political challenges.

To focus on his candidacy, O'Malley resigned from his position at the Social Security Administration on Monday, effective November 29. As he steps into this new phase of his career, O'Malley aims to leverage his extensive political background to steer the Democratic Party through a critical juncture.