Ivey Disavows Reports He Will Run With O'Malley

For the record, State's Attorney Glenn F. Ivey said he has not agreed to run for lieutenant governor next year on a ticket headed by Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley (D).

The Prince George's County prosecutor also said last night that he has not decided whether his 2006 campaign will be for statewide office or for reelection.

"Martin hasn't offered the lieutenant governorship, and I haven't made a decision about what I want to do," Ivey (D) said last night, speaking from a fundraiser he was hosting in Baltimore.

His remarks came after a day of rampant speculation and a flurry of media calls spurred by a short item in the Prince George's County Gazette asserting that Ivey would run with O'Malley when the mayor seeks the governor's seat next year.

O'Malley also dismissed the idea, saying he doesn't intend to begin the process of choosing a running mate until fall.

"I haven't offered it to anyone," said O'Malley, who was mingling with the 50 guests at Ivey's fundraiser at Baltimore's Center Club.

"Certainly, Glenn would bring a lot of strength," he added. "He's a very talented and committed public servant who's done a terrific job as state's attorney."

Ivey, who was elected in 2002, has been mentioned as a possible running mate for O'Malley and for Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan (D), who is also getting ready for a gubernatorial bid. For either candidate, he would offer support in Prince George's, a critical bloc of votes in the party's September 2006 primary. As an African American, he also could reach out to that community.

Ivey also has been mentioned as a candidate for state attorney general, a position long held by J. Joseph Curran Jr. (D). Ivey has said he would not run if Curran seeks reelection.

Last night, Ivey ruled out running for the U.S. Senate seat held by retiring U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D-Md.). "Or for president," Ivey added with a laugh.