Democrats fight for Elijah Cummings’ legacy — and a seat in Congress

BALTIMORE — Two dozen Democrats are running for the nomination in Maryland’s 7th District, but no one looms larger over the race than the late Elijah Cummings, whose death last fall prompted the upcoming special election.

What Cummings wanted in a successor — and what people think he would have wanted — have become big factors in this contest, where the two best-known candidates are his widow, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, and his friend and predecessor, Kweisi Mfume, who left Congress in 1996 to lead the NAACP.

“My late husband was a beautiful man,” Rockeymoore Cummings said, her voice rising as she addressed the congregation at Zion Baptist Church on Sunday. “And I ask you to continue to pray for me and our family as we continue to walk this path.”