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 in the 116th U.S. Congress. Elijah Cummings, the incumbent representative, died in office on October 17, 2019.
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.
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.
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.
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)
Defeated in primary T. Dan Baker, Public Health and Community Development Professional Talmadge Branch, state delegate Alicia D. Brown Anthony Carter Sr., Democratic candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2018 Jill P. Carter, state senator Matko Lee Chullin III Jay Fred Cohen, Howard County Judge of Orphans Court (2006–2010), 2014 candidate for Maryland House of Delegates, District 12 Nathaniel M. Costley Sr., 2018 Democratic candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, District 10 Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, former chairwoman of the Maryland Democratic Party and widow of U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings Jermyn Davidson Darryl Gonzalez, author Mark Gosnell, pulmonologist Leslie Grant, former president of the National Dental Association Dan L. Hiegel, Democratic candidate for Maryland's 3rd congressional district in 1994 and 1996 F. Michael Higginbotham, professor, University of Baltimore School of Law Terri Hill, state delegate Jay Jalisi, state delegate Paul V. Konka, teacher, 2018 candidate for Baltimore County school board Adrian Petrus, 2018 Democratic candidate for the Maryland State Senate, District 47, Democratic candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2016 Saafir Rabb, community activist Charles U. Smith, Democratic candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2018 Harry Spikes, former Cummings staffer, 2014 Democratic candidate for the Maryland House of Delegates, District 45 Charles Stokes, Democratic candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2018
Withdrew Brian Britcher, firefighter (withdrew candidacy on 11/7/19)
Declined Vanessa Atterbeary, state delegate Calvin Ball III, Howard County executive Antonio Hayes, state senator Keith E. Haynes, state delegate Ben Jealous, former president and CEO of the NAACP and nominee for Governor of Maryland in 2018 (endorsed Jill Carter) Cory V. McCray, state senator Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, former mayor of Baltimore and former secretary of the Democratic National Committee Charles E. Sydnor III, state delegate
Endorsements
Results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Kimberly Klacik, community activist, Baltimore County Republican Committeewoman, and non-profit founder
Defeated in primary Christopher M. Anderson, activist James C. Arnold Ray Bly, Republican candidate for Maryland's 7th congressional district in 2016 and 2018, Republican candidate for Maryland's 2nd congressional district in 2012 Brian L. Brown Reba A. Hawkins, community activist Liz Matory, nominee for Maryland's 2nd congressional district in 2018 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
Results
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political ReportApril 24, 2020Inside ElectionsApril 23, 2020Sabato's Crystal BallApril 23, 2020PoliticoApril 19, 2020
Results
CountyKweisi MfumeDemocraticKimberly KlacikRepublicanWrite-insMarginTotal votes#%#%#%#%Baltimore City51,96092.99%3,1225.59%7931.42%48,83887.40%55,875Baltimore32,39064.11%17,70235.03%4340.86%14,68829.07%50,526Howard27,60560.91%17,27838.13%4340.96%10,32722.79%45,317Totals111,95573.79%38,10225.11%1,6611.09%73,85348.68%151,718
See also List of special elections to the United States House of Representatives
References
External links Official campaign websites Kim Klacik (R) for Congress Kweisi Mfume (D) for Congress