Mourning the Loss of Rep. Elijah Cummings and What Happens Next

On the morning of Oct. 17, Americans all around the country woke up to the news of U.S Representative Elijah Cumming’s death. Cummings passed away at Gilchrist Hospice Care from complications concerning long standing health challenges after being absent from House proceedings for several weeks. 

Rep. Elijah Cummings was the Oversight Committee chair, a rare position that marks the success of a political career and may be held for many years. He was seen as an advocate for cutting prescription drug prices, fighting addiction, strengthening gun control and reforming the criminal justice system. Maryland Democratic Party Chairwoman Maya Rockeymoore Cummings and Cummings’ widow, says her husband “worked until his last breath” (The Baltimore Sun). In the days before his death last Thursday, Cummings signed subpoenas and sent letters to the Trump administration concerning their proposal to deport critically ill children. 

Many public servants are still mourning the death of someone they saw as their mentor, but they are now faced with a tough decision. Who will fill his position? 

According to Lenneal J. Henderson, emeritus professor of public affairs at the University of Baltimore, they should defer to Cummings’ widow. Maya Rockeymoore Cummings seems to be a logical successor, as she is the chairwoman of the Maryland Democratic Party, the head of a public policy consulting firm, and has earned a doctorate in political science. Rockeymoore Cummings has asked for “time and space to grieve” (The Baltimore Sun), but has not yet commented on her intent to seek the 7th district seat.

Other possible candidates include Democratic States Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, and former NAACP President Kweisi Mfume, who has held the seat before. Mosby and Ball wouldn’t immediately comment on any decisions about whether they would run.

These potential candidates may have to start making their decisions soon. The congressional seat could be filled in as little as three months, or could remain empty for more than a year, depending on when Maryland’s governor decides to schedule a special election.

Although filling his position is important, we must never forget the legacy of Elijah Cummings and he shall live on forever as a “black political trailblazer who took on Trump” (CNBC) while in hospice care in the last days of his life. 

Rep. Elijah E. Cummings is pictured in his office at the Rayburn House Office Building in 2014. (Algerina Perna / Baltimore Sun)