Howard Co. Executive Ball Won't Seek Cummings' Vacant Seat

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — A special election will be held to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Congressman Elijah Cummings and several names have been floated around as a possible replacement, including Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. However, Ball released a statement Nov. 12 noting that he isn't interested. But the widow of Rep. Elijah Cummings is.

"Having lived in the 7th Congressional District my entire life, first as a young man in Baltimore County and currently raising my family with my wife in Howard County, I have seen the importance of a strong voice in that seat for our community. The loss of a beloved friend and leader in Congressman Elijah Cummings has left a void in our hearts and in the soul of our country. I am honored to be mentioned as a candidate for the upcoming special election.
However, my focus remains on my current role as your Howard County Executive. We have made incredible progress on some of my top priorities. With your help, we will continue to invest in policy and initiatives that prepare ready and successful students, cultivate a more sustainable environment, build more reliable and accessible infrastructure and foster a prosperous business environment," said Ball.

Maya Rockeymoore Cummings said on MSNBC’s “The Rachel Maddow Show” Monday night that “I fought right alongside of Elijah.”

"I've been on this path for fighting for the soul of our democracy, for fighting for health care, education, for a better America for all,” she said. "And so he wanted me to continue this fight, and I’m going to continue this fight and run the race, and, prayerfully, win."

Rockeymoore Cummings, chair of the Maryland Democratic Party, also told The Baltimore Sun newspaper that she would run for her late husband’s seat. She shared that the couple discussed the possibility of her seeking his seat months before he passed away Oct. 17 at the age of 68 from what his office described as "complications concerning longstanding health challenges."

Cummings had represented Maryland's 7th Congressional District since 1996 and was House Oversight Committee chairman.

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