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The three sisters of the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings have made endorsements in the crowded race to succeed him ― with two sisters supporting his friend, Kweisi Mfume, and one endorsing his longtime aide, Harry Spikes.
According to a news release from the Mfume campaign, Cheretheria Blount and Diane Woodson have endorsed the former NAACP president in Tuesday’s special primary.
"We stand with Kweisi 1,000 percent and will be working to ensure his victory on Election Day,” Woodson said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Yvonne Cummings endorsed Spikes, who is also supported by the late congressman’s two daughters.
“Harry would make a great legislator,” Yvonne Cummings told The Baltimore Sun. “He has the compassion for the community.”
[ Voter guide: Candidates for 7th District ]
Maryland Policy & Politics
Among the 32 candidates seeking to succeed Elijah Cummings in the 7th Congressional District are Mfume, Spikes and Maya Rockeymoore Cummings, the congressman’s widow. Those three spoke at the congressman’s funeral in October and each has since sought to claim his seat — and a piece of his legacy.
Other Democratic candidates include state Sen. Jill P. Carter; state delegates Talmadge Branch, Terri L. Hill and Jay Jalisi; law professor F. Michael Higginbotham and community activist Saafir Rabb.
The congressman’s older daughter, Jennifer, wrote in a statement that she and her sister, Adia, believe “Harry embodies [the] same spirit” as their father.
Rockeymoore Cummings was asked at a recent debate about her lack of endorsements from Cummings’ family.
“Elijah loved his daughters,” she replied. “I am so glad they are focused on having their voices heard in this debate.”
Yvonne Cummings declined to comment on why no one in the family had endorsed Rockeymoore Cummings.
Cummings’ three brothers have not announced their support for any candidate.