Over 50 current, former mayors endorse O’Malley in DNC chair bid

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley’s (D) team announced on Thursday that he’s received support from more than 50 current and former mayors in his bid to take the helm of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

Among some of the prominent names featured include Mitch Landrieu, a former New Orleans mayor who also served as a co-chair for the Harris campaign and in the Biden administration as a senior advisor; Manny Diaz, a former Miami mayor who also served as a chair of the Florida Democratic Party; former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin; and Richmond Mayor and DNC committee member Levar Stoney.

A handful of those endorsing O’Malley, a former mayor of Baltimore, also served as presidents of the United States Conference of Mayors. The endorsements were first shared with The Hill.

“As the former Mayor of Baltimore and Governor of Maryland, Martin knows that the strength of our party lies in our local elected officials who get reelected by listening to their constituents, delivering results, and connecting our policies to the issues most important to them,” Diaz said in a statement shared through O’Malley’s team.

“He is a practical problem solver who knows how to build consensus and amass the resources necessary to accomplish the collective vision,” he added.

O’Malley said in a statement that he “took great pride” in the mayoral endorsements, adding that “together we will get the DNC closer to the people we work so hard to serve when we reconnect, rebuild, and reengage the Democratic party.”

O’Malley is among eight candidates running for DNC chair. His team has told The New York Times he has over 60 endorsements from DNC committee members.

Two frontrunners, so far, have emerged in the race: State party chairs Ben Wikler of Wisconsin and Ken Martin of Minnesota. Wikler has notched some endorsements from several prominent groups and Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC).

Meanwhile, Martin’s team has said he has more than 100 endorsements from DNC committee members. Several state delegations have backed him in recent days, including in Oklahoma and Tennessee.

All eight candidates will have four DNC chair forums to make their case to members before they vote on their pick in Feb. 1 to replace outgoing Chair Jaime Harrison, as the party looks to reset after a disappointing November election.