Potential Democratic presidential candidate and former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley delivers remarks at the South Carolinna Democratic Party state convention April 25, 2015 in Columbia, South Carolina.Win McNamee—Getty Images
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is ramping up his all-but-certain presidential campaign, leasing office space in in Baltimore for a campaign headquarters and asking donors and bundlers to begin serious fundraising.
Both those moves start the 15-day clock for O’Malley to officially announce his candidacy on May 30.
O’Malley has laid the groundwork for a presidential bid in Iowa and New Hampshire in recent months, leaning on his liberal record as governor, where he supported gay marriage, gun control and an end to the death penalty. He has emerged as a progressive challenger to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, differing with her stance on the Trans-Pacific Partnership and her past platform.
Now, O’Malley is making his strongest indications yet that he plans to challenge Clinton for the Democratic nomination. In a series of conference calls on Thursday night, he rallied his supporters and reiterated what has long been a message for the candidate-in-waiting: that the country needs new, forward-looking leadership with progressive values.
In the about half-dozen separate calls over the course of the night, O’Malley spoke with alums of the 1984 and 1987 Gary Hart presidential campaigns, fundraisers and bundlers, former staffers, and connections in key states throughout the country, people on the calls said.
“He made it very clear that he is more inclined than ever to do it,” said one person. “This was the last box to check in his process.”
On Friday morning, O’Malley supporters began calling a network of donors around the country to support his likely campaign.
Presidential candidates have 15 days from the start of official candidacy activities—like raising and spending sums of money north of $5,000, or making statements that refer to themselves as a candidate—before they must announce.
See the 2016 Candidates' Campaign Launches
Sen. Ted Cruz kicked off his campaign for 2016 Republican presidential nomination at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. on March 23.Tom Williams—CQ-Roll Call/Getty ImagesKentucky Sen. Rand Paul launched his bid for the Republican nomination at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville on April 7. Supporters held signs with the slogan "Defeat the Washington Machine / Unleash the American Dream."Amy Harris—CorbisFormer Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced her campaign in a YouTube video posted April 12 that has been seen nearly 4.5 million times. One boy featured in the video boasted about playing a fish in a school play.Hillary For AmericaFlorida Sen. Marco Rubio announced his campaign for the Republican nomination during a rally at the Freedom Tower in Miami on April 13. He took a drink of water during the speech, a callback to his State of the Union response in 2013.Wilfredo Lee—APVermont Sen. Bernie Sanders announced his bid for the Democratic nomination across the street from the U.S. Capitol on April 30, 2015. The backdrop was unusual, since most candidates rail against Washington.Jonathan Ernst—ReutersRetired neurosurgeon Ben Carson announced his bid for the Republican nomination at the Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts May 4, 2015 in Detroit, Michigan. The launch featured a gospel choir covering Eminem's "Lose Yourself."Bill Pugliano—Getty ImagesFormer Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina announced her campaign for the Republican nomination in a conference call on May 4, then went on "Good Morning America" to talk to George Stephanopoulos.Lou Rocco—Getty ImagesFormer Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced his campaign at a community college in his hometown of Hope, Ark., on May 5. Singer Tony Orlando (right) performed.Left: Danny Johnston; Right: Matt Sullivan—Getty ImagesRepublican presidential candidate and former New York Governor George Pataki (C) greets supporters after formally announcing his candidacy for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Exeter, N.H. on May 28, 2015. Dominick Reuter—ReutersFormer Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee announces his candidacy for the democratic presidential nomination at George Mason University in Arlington, Va. on June 3, 2015.Win McNamee—Getty ImagesRepublican Senator Lindsey Graham announces his 2016 presidential candidacy in Central, S.C. on June 1, 2015. Erik S. Lesser—EPAFormer Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley is joined by his wife Katie O'Malley (R) as he announces his intention to seek the Democratic presidential nomination during a speech at Federal Hill Park in Baltimore on May 30, 2015. Jim Bourg—ReutersFormer Texas governor Rick Perry announces his candidacy for Republican presidential nominee at an event held at Addison Airport in Addison, Texas on Thursday, June 4, 2015.Louis DeLuca—Dallas Morning News/CorbisFormer Florida Governor Jeb Bush waves on stage as he announces his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination during an event at Miami-Dade College - Kendall Campus in Miami on June 15 , 2015.Joe Raedle—Getty ImagesDonald Trump holds up his financial statement showing his net worth as he formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during an event at Trump Tower in New York City on June 16, 2015. Brendan McDermid—ReutersRepublican presidential candidate and Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination in Kenner, La. on June 24, 2015. Jonathan Bachman—ReutersRepublican presidential candidate and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie formally announces his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally at Livingston High School in Livingston, N.J. on June 30, 2015. Brendan McDermid—ReutersWisconsin Governor Scott Walker greets supporters after announcing that he will seek the Republican nomination for president in Waukesha, Wis. on July 13, 2015 . Scott Olson—Getty ImagesOhio Governor John Kasich arrives on stage to formally announce his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination during a kickoff rally in Columbus, Ohio on July 21, 2015. Aaron P. Bernstein—Reuters
O’Malley leased 7200 square feet of office space in downtown Baltimore on Friday and is preparing to move 40 employees from his PAC to what is likely to be his new campaign headquarters. The Baltimore Sun first reported the move, and an O’Malley aide confirmed it to TIME.
In his Thursday calls with supporters, O’Malley said he would announce his decision whether to run for president on May 30 in Baltimore. A registration page to attend his likely launch at omalleyannouncement.com says “Paid for by O’Malley for President” at the bottom.
O’Malley’s decision to set his likely campaign launch and headquarters in Baltimore indicates just how willing he is to attach his political fate to the restive city where he served as mayor from 1999 through 2006. He has consistently pointed to his accomplishments as the city’s administrator and the reduction in crime, but critics say his aggressive police policies worsened police relations with the black community.
A round of staff hiring in the last few weeks has increased speculation about O’Malley’s announcement, with the former governor bringing on more press staff and a national political director, Obama alum Karine Jean-Pierre, last week.
For the next 15 days before his Baltimore announcement, O’Malley will be rallying his network.
“He’s assessed the state of the nation as he sees it and the need for new leadership options,” said another person who was on the calls. “I think he’s ready to go.”