O'Malley Re-Elected Head Of Democratic Governors

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The country's 20 Democratic governors have re-elected Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley as head of their national political organization.

The Washington Post reported the step was taken by the Democratic Governors Association on Tuesday at their winter meeting in Los Angeles. It is rare for a governor to serve two terms.

The report says the move assures O'Malley a national voice leading up to the 2012 election. The Post reports 11 states, including eight now controlled by Democrats, will hold elections for governors in 2012.

As association chairman, O'Malley will be responsible for outside fundraising for those races. The Post reported that O'Malley expressed confidence that by focusing on job creation and demonstrating that Democratic governors have been effective in office, the party can be widely successful in 2012.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)