Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who ran in the 2016 Democratic presidential race, is joining a rare group of top Democrats — he is not running in 2020.
In an email to supporters, he said that “my usefulness as a candidate for president has passed.”
In 2016, he left the race after a poor showing in the Iowa Caucus. Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton were the last two Democrats in the race.
O’Malley now heads for “Win Back Your State,” a grassroots support group for Democrats.
His email is below:
Friend,
As I wish you a Happy New Year and all the best for you and your family in 2019, I also wanted to let you know that I will not be running for President in 2020.
Thanks to your support and encouragement of our leadership effort, Win Back Your State, I was able to campaign on behalf of more than 125 candidates, traveling to 30 states in special elections and in the midterms. The strong results for Democrats — and for new Democratic leaders in particular — in these midterms, has reaffirmed my faith that our best days are ahead of us.
But I have also learned that my usefulness as a candidate for President has passed. I’m proud of the substance and vision we put forward in 2016 and the record of progress from 15 years of executive experience, but — after all we have been through as a nation — America is looking for a candidacy newer than I can offer.
I made this announcement this morning through an op-Ed in the Des Moines Register and other papers. I hope we can find ways in the future to work together for the country we carry in our hearts.
With deep respect and gratitude for your friendship,
Martin O’Malley
