Maryland Rep. Elijah Cummings dies at age 68

BALTIMORE, Md. – According to his congressional office, Maryland Representative Elijah Cummings died early Thursday morning at the age of 68.

He passed away at Gilchrist Hospice Care, a Johns Hopkins affiliate, at around 2:45 a.m., due to complications from longstanding health challenges.

Cummings had represented Maryland’s 7th Congressional District since 1996. He became the powerful chairman of a U.S. House committee that investigated President Donald Trump, and passionately advocated for the poor in his district that encompassed a large portion of Baltimore.

Numerous political leaders have extended their sincere condolences to Cummings across social media Thursday morning. President Donald Trump tweeted out, “My warmest condolences to the family and many friends of Congressman Elijah Cummings. I got to see first hand the strength, passion and wisdom of this highly respected political leader. His work and voice on so many fronts will be very hard, if not impossible, to replace!”

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings, who was a fierce advocate for civil rights and for Maryland for more than three decades,” added Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “Maryland’s First Lady and I ask Marylanders to join us in prayer for his loved ones, his constituents, and his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives.”

Hogan has ordered Maryland flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Cummings.