“The stakes in this election could not be higher, and the choice is clear,” Martin O’Malley said Thursday. | Getty O'Malley endorses Hillary Clinton: 'The choice is clear'

Overshadowed by President Barack Obama’s full-throated endorsement of Hillary Clinton, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley on Thursday also announced his support for the former secretary of state.

“For the future of the country we carry in our hearts, I am committing my energies to the election of Secretary Clinton as the next President of the United States,” O’Malley said in a statement. “Democrats, Independents and Republicans alike must come together to confront the fascist threat to our democracy presented by Donald Trump.”


O’Malley, who suspended his campaign in February following a dismal showing in the Iowa caucuses, congratulated Clinton on winning a “hard-fought nomination process” while also crediting Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders “for waging an exciting campaign focused on important progressive issues about which so many of us care so deeply.”

“The stakes in this election could not be higher, and the choice is clear,” said O’Malley, who added that it’s time for the Democratic Party to unite now that voters have chosen Clinton as their presumptive nominee.

“I look forward to campaigning for Secretary Clinton and urge all of my friends and supporters to do the same,” he said. “Every vote counts, and every American is needed in the important struggle ahead.”

O’Malley’s endorsement follows Obama’s long-awaited announcement. The president offered a glowing endorsement of Clinton, saying in a campaign video released by Clinton’s campaign, “I don’t think there’s ever been someone so qualified to hold this office.”

“Look, I know how hard this job can be,” Obama said. “That’s why I know Hillary will be so good at it.”