Elijah Eugene Cummings was a prominent American politician and civil rights advocate who dedicated over three decades to public service. A Democrat, he represented Maryland's 7th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1996 until his passing in 2019. His district encompassed a significant portion of Baltimore, including predominantly Black neighborhoods, and parts of Baltimore and Howard counties. Prior to his congressional tenure, Cummings served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1983 to 1996, consistently advocating for social justice and equality.
January 18, 1951: Birth of Elijah Cummings
Elijah Eugene Cummings was born on January 18, 1951.
1969: Graduation from Baltimore City College High School
Elijah Cummings graduated with honors from Baltimore City College high school in 1969.
1973: Graduation from Howard University
In 1973, Elijah Cummings graduated from Howard University with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. During his time at Howard, he was highly active in student government, serving as sophomore class president, student government treasurer, and eventually student government president. He was also inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
1976: Graduation from University of Maryland School of Law and Admission to the Bar
Elijah Cummings earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1976 and was admitted to the Maryland bar later that year. He practiced law for 19 years before entering the U.S. House of Representatives.
1983: Beginning of Service in the Maryland House of Delegates
Elijah Cummings began his service in the Maryland House of Delegates in 1983.
1994: Diagnosis with Thymic Carcinoma
While serving in the Maryland House of Delegates, Elijah Cummings received a diagnosis of thymic carcinoma, a rare form of cancer, in 1994.
February 1996: Special Election Victory for Maryland's 7th Congressional District
Following Kweisi Mfume's resignation from Congress to lead the NAACP, a special election was held in February 1996. Elijah Cummings won the crowded Democratic primary and then decisively defeated Republican Kenneth Kondner in the special election to fill the vacancy in Maryland's 7th Congressional District.
1996: Election to the US House of Representatives
In 1996, Elijah Cummings was elected to represent Maryland's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. This followed his service in the Maryland House of Delegates.
1996: Election to the U.S. House of Representatives
In 1996, after 19 years of practicing law, Elijah Cummings was elected to the United States House of Representatives.
1996: Start of Election Results for Maryland's 7th Congressional District
This entry marks the beginning of available election results for Maryland's 7th Congressional District, starting in 1996.
2006: Unopposed Re-election to Congress
In 2006, Elijah Cummings ran unopposed for re-election to the United States House of Representatives, demonstrating his strong support within his district.
2007: Early Support for Barack Obama's Presidential Campaign
Elijah Cummings was an early supporter of Barack Obama's 2008 presidential bid. Recognizing Obama's limited name recognition at the time, Cummings actively campaigned for him, particularly within the African American community, where support for Hillary Clinton was strong.
2008: Congressional Panel Hearings on Steroids in Baseball
Elijah Cummings garnered praise for his role in the 2008 congressional panel hearings on steroids in baseball. During the investigation, Cummings famously pressed former single-season home run record holder Mark McGwire for more direct answers, leading to a tense exchange that came to symbolize the inquiry.
2008: Continued Support for Obama's Candidacy
Elijah Cummings maintained his support for Barack Obama's candidacy into 2008. Support for Obama among the Congressional Black Caucus was initially divided, with many favoring Hillary Clinton. Cummings traveled widely to advocate for Obama.
2009: Marriage to Maya Rockeymoore
Elijah Cummings married Maya Rockeymoore in 2009.
December 2010: Cummings Becomes Ranking Member of the Oversight Committee
In December 2010, Elijah Cummings secured the position of ranking minority member of the Oversight Committee after defeating Carolyn Maloney in a vote by the House Democratic Caucus. This followed the withdrawal of Edolphus Towns, who lacked support from Nancy Pelosi and faced opposition from the White House.
June 2011: Murder of Christopher Cummings
Tragedy struck in June 2011 when Christopher Cummings, the son of Elijah Cummings's brother James, was murdered at his off-campus residence near Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
December 2014: Presidential and Federal Records Act Amendments Signed into Law
In December 2014, the Presidential and Federal Records Act Amendments of 2014, a bipartisan bill introduced by Elijah Cummings and Darrell Issa, was signed into law by President Barack Obama. The legislation updated the definition of a federal record to include electronic documents.
2016: Remarks at the Democratic National Convention
During the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Elijah Cummings delivered a speech in which he stated, "Our party does not just believe, but understands, that Black Lives Matter. But we also recognize that our community and our law enforcement work best when they work together."
May 2017: Aortic Valve Surgery and Subsequent Health Challenges
In May 2017, Elijah Cummings underwent surgery to repair his aortic valve. His recovery kept him away from Capitol Hill for two months. In July 2017, he developed an infection related to the surgery but returned to work. Later, Cummings was hospitalized for a knee infection.
July 2017: Development of a Surgery-Related Infection
After undergoing surgery to repair his aortic valve in May 2017, Elijah Cummings developed an infection in July 2017. Despite this health setback, he returned to work.
December 2018: Maya Rockeymoore Cummings Elected Chairwoman of the Maryland Democratic Party
In December 2018, Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, wife of Elijah Cummings, was elected as the Chairwoman of the Maryland Democratic Party.
2018: End of Available Election Results for Maryland's 7th Congressional District
This entry marks the end of available election results for Maryland's 7th Congressional District, concluding in 2018.
January 2019: Appointment as Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform
In January 2019, Elijah Cummings assumed the role of Chair of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, a position he held until his death in October of the same year.
October 17, 2019: Death of Elijah Cummings
Elijah Cummings passed away on October 17, 2019. He was succeeded in Congress by Kweisi Mfume.
October 25, 2019: Funeral of Elijah Cummings
The official funeral for Elijah Cummings took place on October 25, 2019, at the New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore. The service was attended by prominent figures from the Democratic Party, including former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Joe Biden, John Lewis, Amy Klobuchar, Elizabeth Warren, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and his predecessor and successor, Kweisi Mfume. His friend and colleague, Mark Meadows, delivered the eulogy.
November 2019: Public Disclosure of Elijah Cummings's Battle with Thymic Carcinoma
It was revealed in November 2019 that Elijah Cummings had been living with a rare form of cancer called thymic carcinoma for 25 years. However, it was not stated as the cause of his death.
August 12, 2021: Arrests Made in Christopher Cummings Murder Case
On August 12, 2021, Norfolk Police arrested and charged four men in connection with the June 2011 murder of Christopher Cummings, Elijah Cummings's nephew.