So Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley appears to have confirmed the rumors: Richard Sarles is the pick of the Metro board as the agency’s next leader.

In an interview on WTOP radio on Friday morning, the Democrat was asked about the pick and he said: “Mr. Sarles is the choice of the board.”

New Metro board member and D.C. Councilman Tommy Wells, then essentially confirmed it again, through Twitter. “Nice of O'malley to announce based on a courtesy mtg,” he tweeted.

The Washington Examiner first reported that that board had reached consensus on making their interim general manager a permanent pick. Fairfax County Supervisor Jeff McKay had told The Examiner that the board was just working out contract negotiations but had consensus around the pick. But no Metro board members had gone on record about who their pick would be, though speculation had focused on them keeping Sarles.

The board is expected to vote on the pick formally next Thursday.