WASHINGTON (AP) – Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is telling House Democrats he hopes they keep him in their consideration as he runs for president.

The Democratic presidential hopeful met with lawmakers Tuesday to give an update on his 2016 campaign. Most of the Democrats in the room are already supporting front-runner Hillary Clinton.

O’Malley faces long odds unless Clinton stumbles in her campaign, and the meeting was aimed at connecting with influential party “super delegates” whose endorsement is coveted by campaigns.

He says the country is looking for a new leader and he wants to be the lawmakers’ second choice if he can’t be their first choice right now.

O’Malley has struggled with single digits in polls and badly trails Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Iowa and New Hampshire.