BALTIMORE – Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has set the dates for a special election to fill the seat of the late U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings.

Hogan in a proclamation Monday scheduled the special primary election for Feb. 4 and the special general election for April 28.

Cummings represented Maryland’s 7th Congressional District since 1996. He died Oct. 17 of complications from longstanding health issues.

The majority-black district includes Baltimore and portions of Howard and Baltimore counties. While some parts have struggled with poverty and crime, it also includes more affluent areas and some famous landmarks such as Johns Hopkins University and its hospital.

The special general election will coincide with the state’s previously scheduled spring primary. Hogan’s office says that will avoid the cost and confusion of an additional election day.

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