Biography of Governor Martin O'Malley

Martin O’Malley is Governor of the State of Maryland. First elected in 2006, Governor O’Malley was re-elected in 2010 with 56 percent of the vote.

As he begins his second term, Maryland businesses are creating jobs again, Maryland students are achieving record success in the classroom, and the men and women of Maryland law enforcement are making Maryland’s streets and neighborhoods safer for our families.

Governor O’Malley’s Administration is making government work for the people of Maryland. It has been credited with “accomplishing more in one year than most administrations accomplish in four.” In 2009, Governing Magazine named O’Malley “Public Official of the Year.”

The Governor’s job creation initiatives have helped establish and maintain Maryland’s place as a global leader in biotechnology, clean energy, cyber security, information technology, aerospace, trade, and advanced manufacturing. Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ranks Maryland #1 in the nation for entrepreneurship and innovation, and among the top five states for economic performance.  The Kauffman Index rates Maryland one of America’s top three states best positioned to win in the New Economy and the Milken Institute ranks Maryland as one the top two states for Science and Technology.

Under Governor O’Malley’s leadership, Maryland’s public school system has been ranked #1 in America for four years in a row, Maryland elementary and middle school students have achieved their highest scores ever on state tests, and Maryland high school students achieved the highest passage rate in America on Advanced Placement exams.

Today, college education is now more affordable for more Maryland families, because of Governor O’Malley’s successful push for a four-year freeze on in-state tuition at Maryland’s public colleges and universities.

Governor O’Malley’s public safety polices have helped drive violent crime and homicide rates in the State of Maryland to 35-year lows.

With tough choices, the Governor’s policies have helped save the Chesapeake Bay’s blue crab population and make significant improvements to the health of the Bay.

Governor O’Malley’s Administration has invested more than $2 billion in school construction and renovation – a record in Maryland. Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s, and Fitch Ratings have all certified the State’s Triple A Bond Rating, making Maryland one of only 8 states to earn this seal of fiscal responsibility. Marylanders currently have the 3rd lowest state and local tax burden as a share of income in the nation.

Prior to serving as Governor, O’Malley served as Mayor of the City of Baltimore. First elected in 1999, he was re-elected in 2004, receiving 88 percent of the vote. During his time as Mayor, O’Malley worked with the city's citizens and public servants to make it a cleaner, more beautiful city where people want to live and businesses want to invest.

O’Malley received his bachelor’s degree from Catholic University and his law degree from the University of Maryland. In 1986, while in law school, he was named by then-Congresswoman Barbara Mikulski as state field director for her successful primary and general election campaigns for the U.S. Senate. From 1987 to 1988 he served as a legislative fellow for Senator Mikulski, where he focused on obtaining federal funding for projects in the State of Maryland. In 1988, O’Malley was appointed assistant state’s attorney for the city of Baltimore. He served on the Baltimore City Council from 1991 to 1999, during which time he was chairman of the Legislative Investigations and Taxation and Finance Committees.

Last year, Governor O’Malley was reelected to his second term as Chair of the Democratic Governors Association, and he serves as co-Lead on Homeland Security for the National Governors Association Public Safety Task Force. He was appointed to the nation’s first-ever Council of Governors by President Obama on January 11, 2010.

Governor O’Malley and his wife Katie O’Malley, a District Court judge, have two daughters, Grace and Tara, and two sons, William and Jack. They are members of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church.