Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced Monday that the special election to fill the late Rep. Elijah Cummings Elijah Eugene CummingsBlack GOP candidate accuses Behar of wearing black face in heated interview Overnight Health Care: US won't join global coronavirus vaccine initiative | Federal panel lays out initial priorities for COVID-19 vaccine distribution | NIH panel: 'Insufficient data' to show treatment touted by Trump works House Oversight Democrats to subpoena AbbVie in drug pricing probe MORE’s (D) seat will be held April 28, the same day as the state’s presidential primary.

After a primary election on Feb. 4, the general election will take place the same day as residents in Maryland and several other East Coast and Northeastern states, including Connecticut, Rhode Island, Delaware and Pennsylvania, cast ballots in the so-called Acela primary.

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“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. Free and fair elections are the very foundation of American democracy, and we encourage the citizens of the 7th District to take part and let their voices be heard,” he added.

I have ordered a special election to fill the 7th Congressional District vacancy created by the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings. We encourage the citizens of the 7th District to take part and let their voices be heard. https://t.co/FLbTuymXZd — Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) October 28, 2019

Cummings, the chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, died at the age of 68 earlier this month.

Mark Gosnell, a Democrat and Baltimore-area doctor, is the only candidate to officially enter the race to replace him in Congress.