Oct 28, 2019

Maryland governor calls special election to fill Cummings' seat

Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) has called a special election for next year to fill the late Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings' 7th Congressional District seat.

The big picture: Cummings died earlier this month following long-standing health complications. He had been one of the most influential House Democrats. As chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, he was a leading figure in the impeachment inquiry against President Trump.

Candidates for the seat must file by Oct. 30. A primary will be held on Feb. 4, 2020, followed by a special general election on Apr. 28, 2020.
The general special election will be on the same day as the state's spring primary, "thereby avoiding the cost and confusion of multiple and additional Election Days," per a press release.

Between the lines: The district votes heavily Democratic, having gone for Cummings by over 76% in 2018.

What they're saying:

"It is imperative for the 7th Congressional District to have a strong voice in the House of Representatives, and today we are ensuring the process to fill this historic Maryland seat moves forward in a fair and timely manner."

— Larry Hogan

Go deeper: Elijah Cummings: Son of sharecropper eulogized by presidents

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