Martin O’Malley, the former Maryland governor and commissioner of the Social Security Administration, on Monday became the first person to announce a bid to lead the Democratic National Committee as the party plots a post-election path forward.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is resigning as Social Security Administration commissioner to run for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Mr. O’Malley, who ran for president in 2016, is the first candidate to announce a bid to lead the reeling Democratic Party as it faces two years of powerlessness in Washington.