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A petition calling for former Daily Show host Jon Stewart to moderate one of the 2016 presidential debates has gathered over 175,000 signatures – including one endorsement from Maryland governor and Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley.

“Jon Stewart is more than qualified to tackle the moderating job,” the petition, which was launched two weeks ago, states. “Mr Stewart has interviewed 15 heads of state, 22 members of the United States Cabinet, 32 members of the United States Senate, 7 members of the United States House of Representatives, and scores of other political leaders from this country and around the world while establishing himself as the most trusted person in (satirical) news.

“In addition to his vast experience working with political figures, Jon Stewart is accomplished in presidential election coverage. His work on The Daily Show received the prestigious Peabody Award for its coverage of the 2000 and 2004 presidential races,” the petition continues.

Nevertheless, Stewart may prove to be a reluctant moderator. In an interview with the Guardian during his final weeks at the Daily Show, he hinted that it was the prospect of another election cycle looming that helped precipitate his departure.

“I’d covered an election four times, and it didn’t appear that there was going to be anything wildly different about this one,” he said.

O’Malley tweeted that he had signed the petition Thursday evening:

Lis Smith, a spokesperson for the O’Malley campaign told the Guardian that the Democrats needed more debates. “The current schedule is a disgrace and does a disservice to Democratic voters – especially in early primary and caucus states.”

Earlier this month, O’Malley slammed the fact that only six Democratic debates are currently scheduled as “rigging the process and stacking the decks” in favour of Hillary Clinton’s campaign. “This is the Democratic party and we need to have democratic debates,” he told CNN.

Representatives for Stewart did not respond to requests for comment.

Nicky Woolf is a reporter for Guardian US. He tweets @NickyWoolf