Martin O'Malley facts for kids

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For the Canadian journalist and writer, see Martin O'Malley (journalist). For the Indiana Supreme Court justice, see Mart O'Malley.

Quick facts for kids Martin O'Malley
Official portrait, 2023

17th Commissioner of the Social Security Administration
In office December 20, 2023 – November 29, 2024
President	Joe Biden
Preceded by	Kilolo Kijakazi (acting)
Succeeded by	Carolyn Colvin (acting)
61st Governor of Maryland
In office January 17, 2007 – January 21, 2015
Lieutenant	Anthony Brown
Preceded by	Bob Ehrlich
Succeeded by	Larry Hogan
48th Mayor of Baltimore
In office December 7, 1999 – January 17, 2007
Preceded by	Kurt Schmoke
Succeeded by	Sheila Dixon
Member of the Baltimore City Council from the 3rd district
In office 1991–1999
Preceded by	Multi-member district
Succeeded by	Multi-member district

Personal details
Born	Martin Joseph O'Malley (1963-01-18) January 18, 1963 (age 62) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Katie Curran (m. 1990)
Children	4
Education	Catholic University (BA) University of Maryland, Baltimore (JD)
Signature

Martin Joseph O'Malley (born January 18, 1963) is an American politician. He served as the 17th Commissioner of the Social Security Administration from 2023 to 2024. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the 61st Governor of Maryland from 2007 to 2015. He also served as the 48th Mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007.

O'Malley was elected to the Baltimore City Council in 1991. He became Mayor of Baltimore in 1999. As mayor, he focused on making the city safer. He was elected Governor of Maryland in 2006. During his time as governor, he signed laws about college tuition for some immigrants and legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland. After leaving office, he taught at universities. In 2015, he ran for president but ended his campaign in 2016. In 2023, President Joe Biden nominated him to lead the Social Security Administration. He was confirmed and served until November 2024.

Early Life and Education

Martin Joseph O'Malley was born on January 18, 1963, in Washington, D.C. His father, Thomas Martin O'Malley, was a lawyer. He also served in the U.S. Army Air Force during Second World War.

O'Malley went to Our Lady of Lourdes School and Gonzaga College High School. He graduated from the Catholic University of America in 1985. He then earned his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1988.

Early Political Career

While in college, O'Malley joined Gary Hart's presidential campaign in 1982. He volunteered in Iowa, helping with phone calls and organizing events. In 1986, he worked for Barbara Mikulski's successful campaign for the U.S. Senate.

He later worked as an assistant State's Attorney for the City of Baltimore until 1990. In 1990, O'Malley ran for the Maryland State Senate. He lost by a very small number of votes.

Baltimore City Council (1991–1999)

In 1991, O'Malley was elected to the Baltimore City Council. He represented the 3rd Councilman District. He served on the council until 1999.

As a councilman, O'Malley worked for many reforms. He was seen as a rising star in Baltimore politics. People thought he would soon seek a higher office.

Mayor of Baltimore (1999–2007)

O'Malley in 2001

Becoming Mayor

O'Malley decided to run for Mayor of Baltimore in 1999. The current mayor, Kurt Schmoke, chose not to run again. O'Malley was the only white candidate in a city that was mostly African-American. He focused his campaign on reducing crime.

He won the Democratic primary election with 53% of the votes. He then won the general election with 90% of the vote. In 2003, O'Malley ran for re-election and won with 67% of the vote in the primary. He was reelected in the general election in 2004 with 87% of the vote.

Focus on Public Safety

When O'Malley became mayor, he focused on reducing crime. He started a system called "CitiStat." This system tracked city services using data. It was based on a program used in New York City. CitiStat helped the city save money. It also helped create Baltimore's first budget surplus in years.

In 2004, CitiStat won an award from Harvard University. It was recognized for being an "Innovation in American Government."

Media Attention

In 2002, Esquire magazine called O'Malley "The Best Young Mayor in the Country." In 2005, TIME magazine named him one of America's "Top 5 Big City Mayors." Business Week magazine also called him one of five "new stars" in the Democratic Party.

Governor of Maryland (2007–2015)

O'Malley announces his gubernatorial campaign in Baltimore.

Elections for Governor

O'Malley decided to run for Governor of Maryland in 2006. He became the Democratic Party nominee. He ran against the current Republican governor, Bob Ehrlich. O'Malley won the election with 53% of the votes.

In 2010, O'Malley ran for re-election against Bob Ehrlich again. He won by a large margin, receiving over a million votes. Because of term limits, he could not run for a third term in 2014.

First Term as Governor

O'Malley and his family at his inauguration in 2007.

One of O'Malley's first actions as governor was to use a system similar to CitiStat for the entire state. This system was called Maryland StateStat. It helped track the progress of over 20 state agencies. It also helped Maryland become a leader in government transparency.

In April 2007, O'Malley became the first governor to sign a law for the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. This plan aims to change how states give their electoral votes in presidential elections.

Second Term as Governor

O'Malley at the Iftar Reception during Ramadan in August 2013

In May 2011, O'Malley signed a law about college tuition for children of undocumented immigrants. This law allowed them to pay in-state tuition if they met certain conditions. Voters approved this law in a referendum in 2012.

O'Malley also supported a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland. He signed this bill into law in March 2012. Voters also approved this law in a referendum in 2012.

In 2013, O'Malley signed a bill to ban shark finning in Maryland. This made Maryland the first East Coast state to make it illegal to possess or sell shark fins. He also signed a bill in 2013 that ended capital punishment in Maryland for future offenders. He later changed the sentences of the five inmates on death row to life imprisonment. In May 2013, he signed a new gun control bill into law.

2016 Presidential Campaign

O'Malley on the campaign trail in Manchester, New Hampshire

After being governor, O'Malley showed interest in running for president in 2016. He announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination on May 30, 2015. He struggled to gain support during his campaign.

On February 1, 2016, he suspended his campaign after finishing third in the Iowa caucuses. He later endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.

Later Work

O'Malley in January 2023

After his presidential campaign, O'Malley lectured at Georgetown University and Boston College Law School. He also wrote books about using technology in government. In 2019, he was elected a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.

Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (2023–2024)

In July 2023, President Joe Biden nominated O'Malley to lead the Social Security Administration (SSA). The SSA's main office is near Baltimore. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 18, 2023. He was sworn in on December 20, 2023.

O'Malley took over an agency facing many challenges. These included a smaller workforce and low employee morale. He made improving customer service his main goal. He also worked to simplify forms and use data to make the agency more efficient. He focused on reducing the backlog of disability claims. He changed the policy for overpaid beneficiaries, making it easier for them to repay.

O'Malley with Brooke Lierman at a SSA STAT meeting, July 2024

2025 Democratic National Committee Chair Candidacy

O'Malley resigned from the Social Security Administration on November 29, 2024. He did this to run for chair of the Democratic National Committee. The election was in February 2025. He placed third in the race, with Ken Martin winning.

Honors

The University of Galway in Ireland gave him an honorary degree in 2008.

Personal Life

The O'Malley family outside of the Government House (Governor's Mansion) on State Circle in Annapolis in 2011

O'Malley met his wife, Catherine "Katie" Curran, in 1986. They were both in law school. They married in 1990 and have four children: Grace, Tara, William, and Jack. O'Malley is a Catholic.

O'Malley's March (Music Group)

O'Malley's March
Origin	Baltimore, Maryland Washington D.C.
Genres	Irish rock, folk rock
Years active	1988–present
Labels	none
Associated acts	Shannon Tide Martin O'Malley

Members	Martin O'Malley Jared Denhard Jamie Wilson Jim Eagan Ralph Reinoldi Sean McComiskey Pete Miller

Past members	Danny Costello

O'Malley grew up listening to Irish music. In 1979, he formed a band called Shannon Tide. They played Irish music and folk rock. In 1988, he started a new band called O'Malley's March. He is the lead singer and plays acoustic guitar and penny whistle.

The band plays Irish music and other songs like "Ring of Fire" and "This Land Is Your Land." They perform at O'Malley's campaign events and other venues. In 2012, they even played at the White House for President Barack Obama.

Images for kids

Martin O'Malley's signature