O'Malley won't run for Senate
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has taken himself out of the running to succeed outgoing Sen. Barbara Mikulski at the same time that another prominent Democrat indicated she's considering a bid.
"I am hopeful and confident that very capable public servants with a desire to serve in the Senate will step up as candidates for this important office," O'Malley said in a statement. "I will not be one of them."
O'Malley has been taking steps in preparation for a potential presidential bid.
On the other hand, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will decide over the next "several weeks" whether to run for Mikulski's seat, a spokesman said Tuesday.
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"There's plenty of time for 2016 politics. She's going to take the next several weeks over to really think about this carefully," her spokesman, Kevin Harris, told POLITICO. "She is very much flattered that her name is mentioned as a possible successor to someone as legendary as Sen. Mikulski."
A number of Democrats are already considering jumping in, including most prominently Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who allies say is "very likely" to run. Former Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown and Rep. John Delaney are also eyeing the seat, and some Democrats are pushing for Rep. Donna Edwards to consider a bid.
Democratic Rep. John Sarbanes is "giving the opportunity 'serious consideration,'" a spokesperson for the congressman said Tuesday. Sarbanes' father, Paul Sarbanes, was the longest serving senator in Maryland history.
Lauren French contributed to this story.
Barbara Mikulski
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake