Peter O’Malley Resigns as Chairman of MD DEMS

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Maryland Democratic Chairman Peter O'Malley is leaving the post to be chief of staff for Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the mayor's office announced Thursday.

Peter O'Malley, who is Gov. Martin O'Malley's brother, was chosen to be the party chairman two months ago. That job is an unpaid and volunteer position.

The mayor's office says he will begin his new job on Friday.

Peter O'Malley served as former Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith's chief of staff. He also worked on his brother's successful Baltimore mayoral races in 1999 and 2003, as well as his gubernatorial victories in 2006 and 2010.

Peter O'Malley is a Baltimore resident. He worked as a special assistant for CitiStat, a government accountability tool in the mayor's office, from late 2000 to 2002.

David Sloan, the state party's executive director, said Yvette Lewis, the party's first vice chair, will be the acting chair of the party. Lewis is from Prince George's County. Sloan said the governor already has sent letters to the party's central committee members recommending her for the position.

from WTOP