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Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley on Tuesday endorsed fellow Democrat Jason Judd for mayor in the City Frederick's Nov. 3 election.

"Jason has the vision, ability and background to reach out across the state to ensure that Frederick is always moving forward," O'Malley wrote in a letter announcing his endorsement.

In the letter, O'Malley touched on Judd's 15 years of experience working at all levels of government. Judd now works as a campaign executive with the Service Employees International Union in Washington, D.C.

"At a time of national economic uncertainty when families are struggling to make ends meet, Frederick's next mayor needs to have the experience to help the city sustain itself and grow, and the commitment to fight for its families every day," O'Malley wrote. "Jason has a progressive agenda and the skills to make it real."

A large part of Judd's campaign has been emphasizing his history of working with state and federal leaders on issues such as fair credit card practices and fair taxes for small businesses.

Judd said he took it to heart that someone who knows first-hand what it takes to be a mayor came out strongly for him. O'Malley was mayor of Baltimore City from 1999 to 2007. Elected to the state's highest office in 2007, O'Malley is seeking re-election next year.

"It's a big shot in the arm," Judd said. More importantly, he said the acknowledgment from the governor positions Frederick to have a greater stake in the state's processes in the future.

"If we win this race, it shows we have a governor who's behind Frederick, and we can start working with the state delegation to get what we need," Judd said. "We have to do a better job of going after our share, and a mayor in the city who brings with him this kind of relationship can help do that."

Judd's opponent, Republican Randy McClement, said it was nice to hear of Judd's endorsement.

McClement, who owns Market Bagel and Deli in downtown Frederick, said his only endorsement in the general election has been from the Frederick County Realtors Association.

"Endorsements are nice," he said. "I would like to have to have the endorsements of the citizens of Frederick more than anyone else."

Del. C. Sue Hecht (D-Dist. 3A) of Frederick said O'Malley's endorsement of Judd holds great promise for Frederick's ability to build outside relationships and hopefully increase the city's chances of taking advantage of state resources, particularly as the economic conditions worsen for municipalities.

"We need all the help we can get when we're down in Annapolis," Hecht said. "Politics are relationships. It's getting to know people. The more people we know and talk to, the more we get Frederick on the map. We don't have somebody down there lobbying for us, fighting for us."

E-mail Erica L. Green at egreen@gazette.net.