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Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, the widow of late Congressman of Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), has confirmed rumors and announced that she will run for his House seat.
READ MORE: Rep. Elijah Cummings: Politicians and celebrities react to sudden death of Baltimore congressman
“I am, of course, devastated at the loss of my spouse, but his spirit is with me. I’m going to run this race and I’m going to run it hard, as if he’s still right here by my side,” Rockeymoore Cummings, 48, told The Baltimore Sun.
Rockeymoore Cummings, the chairwoman of the Maryland Democratic Party has vowed to continue her husband’s political legacy. Cummings was not only her husband but a well-respected mover and shaker on Capitol Hill who chaired the House Oversight Committee. He was also a powerful Baltimore Democratic Congressman in Maryland’s 7th Congressional District. He was also beloved by his city.
Cummings died last month, at Johns Hopkins Hospital from complications from longstanding health challenges, according to a statement provided by his office.
Rockeymoore Cummings resigned as chairwoman of the Maryland Democratic Party and plans a formal announcement this morning, according to emails obtained by The Washington Post.
“I believe very strongly that I have the background, the focus, the commitment and the ability to take the reins and make a good run for this seat,” she told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. Her husband, she said, “wanted me to continue this fight.”
READ MORE: Elijah Cummings’ widow rumored to run for his Congressional seat
Rockeymoore Cummings will face contenders such as former congressman and NAACP chief Kweisi Mfume, who plans to run again for a seat he once held before Cummings did in the 7th Congressional district in Maryland.
The 71-year-old Mfume said he wants “to make sure that all he and others fought for is not lost, tossed to the side or forgotten.”
The filing deadline to run is November 20. A special election will be held Feb. 4 followed by the general election April 28. Cummings’ term runs until January 2021.
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