Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, the widow of U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, has confirmed she will run for her husband’s seat in Congress, The Baltimore Sun reports.

The chairwoman for the Maryland Democratic Party made the announcement in a recent interview with The Baltimore Sun and said she intends to fight “hard” for the opportunity to represent Maryland’s 7th congressional district and carry out the legacy and vision of her late husband.

“I am, of course, devastated at the loss of my spouse, but his spirit is with me,” the 48-year-old chairwoman told The Baltimore Sun. “I’m going to run this race and I’m going to run it hard, as if he’s still right here by my side.”