Election to replace Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings set for April

Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan on Monday announced the date of a special election to choose the lawmaker who will succeed the late Rep. Elijah Cummings in the state's 7th District.

Hogan said party primaries will be held Feb. 4 and the special election April 28. Candidates have until Nov. 20 to file and the deadline to drop out is Nov. 22.

"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," Hogan said in a statement. "We have chosen the dates for this important special election to allow for a robust campaign."

Cummings died Oct. 17 at age 68 from complications due to cancer. He was eulogized by former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama in Baltimore Friday.

New York Rep. Carolyn Maloney has replaced Cummings as chair of the House oversight committee, on an acting basis.