O'Malley Will Not Seek Mikulski Senate Seat

WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley says he will not seek the Senate seat of retiring Sen. Barbara Mikulski. He is keeping open his option of running for president in a Democratic primary likely to include Hillary Rodham Clinton.
 
In a statement Tuesday, O'Malley praised Mikulski's service and says he expects that "very capable public servants with a desire to serve in the Senate will step up as candidates," and adds: "I will not be one of them."
 
Mikulski announced plans to retire on Monday, giving O'Malley a second option if he wanted to skip what looks to be a longshot bid against Clinton.
 
Little known outside his home state, O'Malley has yet to gain much traction in a hypothetical matchup against Clinton, who has a network of super PACs already working on her behalf and much of the party's establishment eagerly waiting for her to announce her candidacy.