2020 Maryland's 7th congressional district special election

A special election was held on April 28, 2020, after a February 4, 2020 primary, to fill the remainder of the term in the United States House of Representatives for Maryland's 7th congressional district in the 116th U.S. Congress. Elijah Cummings, the incumbent representative, died in office on October 17, 2019.^[1][2]

For broader coverage of this topic, see Maryland's 7th congressional district.

Maryland's 7th congressional district special election

← 2018 April 28, 2020 November 2020 →
Maryland's 7th congressional district
Nominee Kweisi Mfume Kimberly Klacik Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 111,955 38,102 Percentage 73.8% 25.1%
County results Mfume:      60–70%      >90%
U.S. Representative before election Vacant Elected U.S. Representative Kweisi Mfume Democratic

On October 28, 2019, Governor Larry Hogan announced the dates for the special primary on February 4, 2020, and the special general election on April 28, 2020, to coincide with the primary voting for the November 2020 general election.^[3]

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Hogan announced on March 17, 2020, that the 7th district special general election would be conducted by mail-in ballot only on April 28, while the regular primary election would be postponed to June 2.^[4]

On April 13, 2020, the Maryland State Board of Elections decided that three in-person voting centers would be open for the April 28 special general election, one in each local jurisdiction; Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County.^[5][6]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Kweisi Mfume, former president and CEO of NAACP and former U.S. Representative for Maryland's 7th congressional district (1987–1996)^[7][8]

Defeated in primary

• T. Dan Baker, Public Health and Community Development Professional^[7]
• Talmadge Branch, state delegate^[7][9]
• Alicia D. Brown^[7]
• Anthony Carter Sr., Democratic candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2018^[7][10]
• Jill P. Carter, state senator^[7][11]
• Matko Lee Chullin III^[7]
• Jay Fred Cohen,^[7] Howard County Judge of Orphans Court (2006–2010), 2014 candidate for Maryland House of Delegates, District 12^[12]
• Nathaniel M. Costley Sr.,^[7] 2018 Democratic candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, District 10^[13]
• Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, former chairwoman of the Maryland Democratic Party and widow of U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings^[7][14]
• Jermyn Davidson^[7]
• Darryl Gonzalez, author^[7][15]
• Mark Gosnell, pulmonologist^[7][16]
• Leslie Grant, former president of the National Dental Association^[7]
• Dan L. Hiegel,^[7] Democratic candidate for Maryland's 3rd congressional district in 1994^[17] and 1996^[18]
• F. Michael Higginbotham, professor, University of Baltimore School of Law^[7]
• Terri Hill, state delegate^[7][19]
• Jay Jalisi, state delegate^[7]
• Paul V. Konka, teacher, 2018 candidate for Baltimore County school board^[7][20]
• Adrian Petrus,^[7] 2018 Democratic candidate for the Maryland State Senate, District 47,^[21] Democratic candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2016^[22]
• Saafir Rabb, community activist^[7][9]
• Charles U. Smith, Democratic candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2018^[7][23]
• Harry Spikes, former Cummings staffer,^[7] 2014 Democratic candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, District 45^[24]
• Charles Stokes, Democratic candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2018^[7][25]

Withdrew

• Brian Britcher, firefighter^[26] (withdrew candidacy on 11/7/19)^[7]

Declined

• Vanessa Atterbeary, state delegate^[27]
• Calvin Ball III, Howard County executive^[28]
• Antonio Hayes, state senator^[9]
• Keith E. Haynes, state delegate^[9][29]
• Ben Jealous, former president and CEO of the NAACP and nominee for Governor of Maryland in 2018^[30] (endorsed Jill Carter)
• Cory V. McCray, state senator^[31]
• Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, former mayor of Baltimore and former secretary of the Democratic National Committee^[32]
• Charles E. Sydnor III, state delegate^[9][29]

Endorsements

Saafir Rabb

Individuals

• Keith Ellison, politician and lawyer; 30th Attorney General of Minnesota^[33]
• Hasim Rahman, professional boxer, two-time world heavyweight champion^[33]

Jill P. Carter

Organizations

• Demand Universal Healthcare^[34]
• Our Revolution Maryland^[35]

Publications

• The Baltimore Sun^[36]
• A Miner Detail^[37]

Individuals

• Sanjeev K. Sriram, a.k.a. "Dr. America", physician and Medicare for All activist^[38]

Maya Rockeymoore Cummings

Organizations

• EMILY's List^[39]

Harry Spikes

Individuals

• Jennifer and Aida Cummings, daughters of late U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings^[40]

Results

Democratic primary results^[41]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kweisi Mfume	31,415	43.0
	Democratic	Maya Rockeymoore Cummings	12,524	17.1
	Democratic	Jill P. Carter	11,708	16.0
	Democratic	Terri Hill	5,439	7.4
	Democratic	F. Michael Higginbotham	3,245	4.4
	Democratic	Harry Spikes	2,572	3.5
	Democratic	Saafir Rabb	1,327	1.8
	Democratic	Jay Jalisi	1,257	1.7
	Democratic	Talmadge Branch	810	1.1
	Democratic	Mark Gosnell	579	0.8
	Democratic	T. Dan Baker	377	0.5
	Democratic	Charles Stokes	297	0.4
	Democratic	Paul V. Konka	251	0.3
	Democratic	Darryl Gonzalez	245	0.3
	Democratic	Alicia D. Brown	180	0.2
	Democratic	Leslie Grant	176	0.2
	Democratic	Anthony Carter	155	0.2
	Democratic	Jay Fred Cohen	150	0.2
	Democratic	Matko Lee Chullin	79	0.1
	Democratic	Charles U. Smith	75	0.1
	Democratic	Adrian Petrus	60	0.1
	Democratic	Nathaniel M. Costley Sr.	49	0.1
	Democratic	Jermyn Davidson	31	0.0
	Democratic	Dan L. Hiegel	31	0.0
Total votes			73,032	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Kimberly Klacik, community activist, Baltimore County Republican Committeewoman,^[7][42][43] and non-profit founder^[44][45]

Defeated in primary

• Christopher M. Anderson, activist^[7]
• James C. Arnold^[7]
• Ray Bly,^[7] Republican candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2016^[22] and 2018,^[46] Republican candidate for Maryland's 2nd congressional district in 2012^[47]
• Brian L. Brown^[7]
• Reba A. Hawkins, community activist^[7]
• Liz Matory, nominee for Maryland's 2nd congressional district in 2018^[7][48]
• William T. Newton, election integrity and community activist, Republican candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2016 and 2018, and Baltimore County Republican Committeeman^[7][49]

Results

Republican primary results^[41]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Kimberly Klacik	4,525	40.2
	Republican	Liz Matory	2,740	24.3
	Republican	James C. Arnold	1,401	12.4
	Republican	Reba A. Hawkins	913	8.1
	Republican	Christopher M. Anderson	852	7.6
	Republican	William T. Newton	414	3.7
	Republican	Ray Bly	236	2.1
	Republican	Brian L. Brown	185	1.6
Total votes			11,266	100.0

General election

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report[50]	Safe D	April 24, 2020
Inside Elections[51]	Safe D	April 23, 2020
Sabato's Crystal Ball[52]	Safe D	April 23, 2020
Politico[53]	Safe D	April 19, 2020

Results

Maryland's 7th congressional district special election, 2020^[54]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kweisi Mfume	111,955	73.8%
	Republican	Kimberly Klacik	38,102	25.1%
	Independent	Peter James (write-in)	1	0.0%
	Write-in		1,660	1.1%
Total votes			151,718	100.0%
	Democratic hold

By county
County[55] Kweisi Mfume Democratic Kimberly Klacik Republican Write-ins Margin Total votes # % # % # % # % Baltimore City 51,960 92.99% 3,122 5.59% 793 1.42% 48,838 87.40% 55,875 Baltimore 32,390 64.11% 17,702 35.03% 434 0.86% 14,688 29.07% 50,526 Howard 27,605 60.91% 17,278 38.13% 434 0.96% 10,327 22.79% 45,317 Totals 111,955 73.79% 38,102 25.11% 1,661 1.09% 73,853 48.68% 151,718

See also

• List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives

References

1. Pathé, Simone (October 28, 2019). "Maryland governor sets special election date for Cummings' seat". Roll Call. Archived from the original on January 23, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
2. Reed, Lillian (October 17, 2019). "What will happen to Elijah Cummings' seat in Congress after his death? Here's what the law says". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
3. Robinette, Kimi (October 28, 2019). "Gov. Hogan Announces Special Election To Fill Cummings' Seat". WBAL (AM). Retrieved October 28, 2019.
4. Dickstein, Ryan (March 17, 2020). "Hogan postpones primary election, announces more sweeping action against COVID-19". WMAR-TV. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
5. "Coronavirus Latest: 3 In-Person Voting Centers Will Be Open For 7th Congressional District Special General Election To Fill Elijah Cummings' Seat". WJZ-TV CBS Baltimore. April 13, 2020. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
6. Gaines, Danielle E. (April 13, 2020). "Limited In-Person Voting Now Required For 7th District Special Election". Maryland Matters. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
7. "2020 Special Primary - Congressional District 7 Election State Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. February 3, 2020.
8. Young, Blair (November 4, 2019). "Kweisi Mfume announces candidacy for District 7 seat". WBAL-TV. Retrieved November 4, 2019.
9. Broadwater, Luke (October 31, 2019). "Elijah Cummings' widow weighs run for congressional seat; former Rep. Kweisi Mfume to announce plans Monday". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
10. "Anthony Sr. Carter". Baltimore Sun Election Guide 2018. The Baltimore Sun. 2018.
11. Kurtz, Josh (November 19, 2019). "Jill Carter may have a path to victory". Maryland Matters.
12. Yeager, Amanda (January 23, 2014). "Former Orphans' Court judge files in District 12". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
13. "2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election State Candidates List". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 19, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2019. House of Delegates Legislative District 10
14. Broadwater, Luke (November 11, 2019). "Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, widow of Baltimore Rep. Elijah Cummings, will seek his seat in Congress". The Baltimore Sun.
15. Gonzalez, Darryl J. (October 21, 2010). The Children Who Ran for Congress. Santa Barbara, California: ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313386671. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
16. Ewart, Scott (May 29, 2019). "Dr. Mark Gosnell From Elkridge Is Running For U.S. Congress In 2020". Scott E's Blog. Archived from the original on August 14, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
17. "1994 Presidential Primary Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. February 8, 2001. Retrieved November 23, 2019. Congressional District: 03 - Democratic Candidate(s)
18. "1996 Presidential Primary Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. February 8, 2001. Retrieved November 23, 2019. Congressional District: 03 - Democratic Candidate(s)
19. Broadwater, Luke (November 18, 2019). "Democratic Del. Terri Hill of Howard County to enter race for U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings' seat in Congress". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
20. "Paul V. Konka". Baltimore Sun Election Guide 2018. The Baltimore Sun. 2018.
21. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2019. District 47 Democratic Candidates
22. "Official 2016 Presidential Primary Election results for Representative in Congress". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. May 31, 2016. Retrieved November 23, 2019. Congressional District 7
23. "Charles Smith (Maryland)". Ballotpedia.
24. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. July 16, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2019. Legislative District 45
25. "Charles Stokes". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
26. Kilar, Steve; Brown, Rebekah (July 6, 2011). "Child shot at harbor says he would punch gunman in the face". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 21, 2019. Baltimore firefighter Brian Britcher
27. Ewart, Scott (November 20, 2019). "Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary's Statement on the 7th Congressional District Special Election". Scott E's Blog. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2019. ... I have decided against running for this seat.
28. Ball, Calvin [@calvinballteam] (November 12, 2019). "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" (Tweet). Retrieved November 12, 2019 – via Twitter.
29. Kurtz, Josh (December 1, 2019). "Senate Committee Vice Chair Resigns". Maryland Matters. Retrieved December 4, 2019. Sydnor and Haynes ... chose to remain on the sidelines.
30. Wiggins, Ovetta (October 18, 2019). "Jealous will not seek Cummings's congressional seat". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 18, 2019.
31. McCray, Cory (November 13, 2019). "Cory McCray - With the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings, the..." Facebook. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
32. Broadwater, Luke (November 14, 2019). "Former Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says she won't run for U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings' seat". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
33. "Saafir for Congress - Email". mailchimp.com.
34. "2020 DUH-Endorsed Candidates". Demand Universal Healthcare (DUH). Archived from the original on January 11, 2020. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
35. Ginsberg, Hal (December 16, 2019). "Jill Carter for Congress District 7". Our Revolution Maryland. Our Revolution Maryland is proud to announce our endorsement of State Senator Jill Carter for U.S. Congress in the District 7 special election on February 4.
36. "Baltimore Sun editorial board endorses Carter and Hawkins in District 7". The Baltimore Sun. February 2, 2020. State Sen. Jill P. Carter is the Democrat who has earned our endorsement in Tuesday's special primary election...
37. Miner, Ryan (February 2, 2020). "Democrat Jill P. Carter is a worthy successor to Elijah E. Cummings". A Miner Detail. While voters have a large pool of candidates to choose from, State Sen. Jill P. Carter (D-Baltimore City) stands out among the crowd.
38. "Jill P. Carter for Congress - Posts". Facebook. ^{[dead link]}
39. Schriock, Stephanie (January 9, 2020). "EMILY's List Endorses Maya Rockeymoore Cummings in Maryland's 7th Congressional District". EMILY's List.
40. Richman, Talia (November 26, 2019). "Maryland Rep. Cummings' daughters endorse his longtime staffer for his congressional seat". The Baltimore Sun.
41. "Official 2020 7th Congressional District Special Primary Election results for Representative in Congress". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. February 21, 2020. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
42. Lang, Robert (November 9, 2019). "Activist Whose Videos Launched Trump Twitter Attack On Cummings Announces Bid For Congress". WBAL-AM. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
43. "Vote Kimberly Klacik for Maryland District #7". kimforcongress.com. August 25, 2020. Archived from the original on April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
44. Campbell, Colin (August 17, 2020). "Who's Kimberly Klacik? Fast facts about the Republican who won Maryland's 7th District special primary". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
45. "Maryland GOP congressional candidate to speak at RNC". Associated Press. August 23, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
46. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Representative in Congress". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 31, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2019. Congressional District 7
47. "2012 Presidential Primary Election Results". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. May 2, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2019. Representative in Congress, Congressional District 2
48. Barker, Jeff; Wood, Pamela (October 28, 2019). "Special elections for Cummings' seat set; state Sen. Jill Carter setting up exploratory committee". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
49. Kurtz, Josh (October 21, 2019). "Cummings Had $1M in Campaign Account When He Died". Maryland Matters. Retrieved November 15, 2019. William T. Newton, a frequent candidate, was already seeking the Republican nomination,
50. "2020 House Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
51. "Senate Ratings | Inside Elections". insideelections.com. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
52. "Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball » 2020 House". crystalball.centerforpolitics.org. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
53. "2020 Election Forecast". Politico. November 19, 2019.
54. "Official 2020 Special General Election results for Representative in Congress". elections.maryland.gov. State Board of Elections. May 12, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
55. "Official 2020 Special General Election results for Representative in Congress - District 7". elections.maryland.gov. State Board of Elections. May 12, 2020. Retrieved August 13, 2021.

External links

Official campaign websites

• Kim Klacik (R) for Congress Archived April 17, 2021, at the Wayback Machine
• Kweisi Mfume (D) for Congress