By Chris Cilliza and Aaron Blank
A non-profit headed by Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley(D) and Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) that promotes local and state Democratic leaders is highlighting another crop of rising stars.
The NewDeal, which highlights up-and-coming Democrats with fresh ideas, has added six names to its list of honorees. The six are: Tennessee state Sen. Andy Berke, Kansas state House Minority Leader Paul Davis, Massachusetts state Senator Barry Finegold, Montgomery County (Ohio) Commissioner Dan Foley, Delaware state Rep. Helene Keeley, and Maryland state Del. Keiffer Mitchell.
Berke has been considered a potential candidate for Congress or governor, while Mitchell finished second in the 2007 race to replace O’Malley as mayor of Baltimore.
O’Malley and Begich co-chair the group, which launched in March.
