After O'Malley stood in for 2008 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton at a Democratic campaign event on June 2 , 2007 in New Hampshire , delegate Tony O'Donnell said in response , " It 's the worst-kept secret in Maryland that the governor has national ambitions . " State Senate President Thomas V. ( " Mike " ) Miller , Jr. said O'Malley 's political future " comes into play in everything he does " , adding O'Malley is " very much like Bill Clinton in being slow and deliberative and calculating in everything he does . " Speculation about O'Malley 's plans was further fueled by his high profile at the 2012 Democratic National Convention , where he was given a prime-time speaking slot on the second night and spoke to delegations from several states including Iowa , where the first presidential caucuses are held in election years , and Ohio , a key swing state in recent presidential elections . O'Malley 's prominence at the convention generated both support for , and criticism of , his record . U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman praised his speech , with Ulman saying , " To borrow a catchphrase from his address , his career is moving forward , not back . " O'Malley publicly expressed interest in a presidential run in 2016 on multiple occasions . At a press conference in Milwaukee , Wisconsin and at a National Governors Association meeting in August 2013 , he admitted he was laying " the framework " for a presidential run . In October 2014 , he discussed some of his potential policies as president during a panel discussion with Paul Hawken and Tom Steyer . In April 2015 , he said he expected to make a decision on the race by the end of May
2012 Democratic National Convention
2012 Democratic National Convention
Martin O'Malley