Maya Rockeymoore Cummings will run for seat of late husband Rep. Elijah Cummings

Maya Rockeymoore Cummings says she will run for the Maryland congressional seat left vacant when her husband, Rep. Elijah Cummings, died suddenly in October. 

Rockeymoore Cummings, the chair of the Maryland Democratic party, announced her plans Monday evening on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show, telling the host she will make her announcement Tuesday.

"I believe very strongly that I have the background and the focus and the commitment and the ability to take the reins and to make a good run for this seat," she told Maddow. "I fought right along Elijah for the last 12 years."

Elijah Cummings represented Maryland 7th Congressional District, which includes parts of Baltimore, for 23 years before his death. 

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan set a primary date in the race for Feb. 4 with a general election planned for April 28.

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"I've been on this path for fighting for the soul of our democracy, for fighting for health care, education, for a better America for all," Rockeymoore Cummings said. "He wanted me to continue this fight and I'm going to continue this fight and run the race and prayerfully win."

Cummings died Oct. 17 at age 68 from complications related to long-standing health challenges.