Former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley is planning to meet with Democratic activists Wednesday in New Hampshire, as he nears a decision on whether or not to seek the party’s nomination and challenge Hillary Rodham Clinton. O’Malley’s time in the office as Baltimore’s mayor a decade ago has faced scrutiny since rioting broke out following the demise of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. O’Malley has defended his work to restrain violent crime in Baltimore as mayor from 1999 to 2006 and indicated it would play a leading role if he enters the presidential race. Clinton, who won the state’s presidential primary in 2008, has been busy trying to gain the support from top New Hampshire Democrats. In a show of strength, her campaign office announced Tuesday they had recruited about 1,000 volunteers in the state and was gathering networks of supporters from regions of the state and those focused on economic, family and security issues. Prior to the riots, O’Malley often characterized Baltimore as a comeback city that conquered drug addiction and crime. He has referred to the protests and disturbances as minor setbacks, but could not imagine launching a campaign anywhere other than Baltimore. Local Democrats stated that they were interested in hearing O’Malley discuss the riots and ideas to overcome poverty. If O’Malley chooses to enter the race, he would join Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, (an independent) and the only major Democratic contender besides Clinton. Former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and former Virginia Senator Jim Webb are also pondering bids.
