US: Baltimore mayor and rising Irish-American political star Martin O'Malley is set to challenge Maryland's Republican governor Robert Ehrlich in November, following the abrupt withdrawal of Mr O'Malley's main rival for the Democratic nomination.
Douglas Duncan said he was withdrawing from the race because he was battling clinical depression, a condition that was diagnosed this week and for which he has been prescribed medication.
"For people who have not suffered from this illness or lived with a loved one who does, they may not understand just how difficult this can be.
"It is very difficult. And it is difficult for me to announce today that I will no longer be a candidate for governor of Maryland. But it is the right decision for me, my family and our state," he said.
Mr Duncan spoke to Mr O'Malley two hours before his public announcement and promised to back his former rival's bid to unseat Mr Ehrlich.
"Doug is an outstanding public servant," Mr O'Malley said. "He has made an exceptional contribution to our state for more than 20 years as an elected official. And he will continue to contribute even more in the coming campaign and in government.
"I look forward to meeting with him soon to discuss this, and to working with him in the months and years ahead."
With twice as many Democrats as Republicans, Maryland is near the top of the gubernatorial races Democrats are determined to win in November.
As mayor of Baltimore for the past six years, Mr O'Malley has overseen a sharp drop in crime and an improvement in the city's schools. However, opponents point out that the city's population has been declining at the rate of 500 a month, a trend Republicans claim belies Mr O'Malley's boast that he has regenerated the port city.
A former singer in a traditional Irish band, Mr O'Malley is deeply attached to his Irish roots and has long been a darling of Irish-Americans within the Democratic party.