Despite being in Congress for more than 15 years and serving as Chair of the House Freedom Caucus, people I encounter who are interested in politics often know little about our Congressman Andy Harris. When I suggest that Maryland’s First District is in severe need of a change in leadership, I am sometimes asked why.
I have my reasons, as do many on the Eastern Shore. My list starts with Congressman Harris carrying a handgun onto the Floor of the House of Representatives on January 21, 2021. I have read a lot about the incident. I still don’t know why he did it.
Many of Harris’ fellow legislators, Republicans and Democrats, were shocked by Harris’ actions. I wasn’t. I was aware of Harris’ vocal support for gun rights. After the gun incident, Andy Harris became Andy “Handgun” Harris.
Andy Harris, of course, has excuses for the incident and, except for Harris’ detractors, it is largely forgotten. That’s unfortunate. The incident tells us a bit about who Harris is—and why he should not be in Congress.
More recently, on September 15 of this year, Harris was participating in a meeting with Speaker Johnson and other House Republican leaders to discuss whether to suspend federal gas and diesel taxes for three months to help Republicans in November. Harris supported the idea, but another Republican reminded him that when President Biden proposed the same thing, Harris opposed it. That call-out led to an eruption of anger by Harris, who fortunately did not have a handgun on him. Harris screamed at the other Republicans, “This is Fucking War,” meaning that Republicans need to do everything they can to survive in November, even setting aside their principles.
So, what else has Andy done to deserve defeat this November?
Remember January 6, 2021? A day that will live in infamy. Andy did not see the Trump-inspired (or led) insurrection as a problem. Andy believed and, to my knowledge, still believes, that Donald Trump won the 2000 election. He enthusiastically joined Trump’s effort to remain in power despite rejection by voters. He joined efforts to challenge the result of the election and voted against certifying electoral college votes of states, including Pennsylvania.
Andy has also fought efforts to hold those responsible for the insurrection accountable. He was against the Congressional January 6 Committee. And when President Trump pardoned all his “January 6 Patriots,” Harris did not complain. Instead, he issued a statement reading, in part, that the Department of Justice “”should no longer be used to investigate, prosecute, or continue to incarcerate those who were on Capitol Grounds that day.”
Another part of Harris’ record also tells us who he is. He was a big supporter of Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles. Harris’ political action committee made two $5,000 contributions to Ogles, who was defeated in his district’s Republican primary.
What’s wrong with soon-to-be former Congressman Ogles? Like Harris, he is an election denier who supported efforts to overturn the 2024 election. Ogles also lied about his educational credentials, paid his local property taxes late 11 times, and introduced a resolution in January 2025 to allow Donald Trump to seek a third term.
Regardless of your politics, if you believe Trump should serve a third term, please seek medical help—not from Dr. Andy Harris—immediately.
Dr. Harris enjoys the support of controversial special interests. One of them is big tobacco. He accepts PAC contributions from tobacco companies. Isn’t it ironic (as Alanis Morissette might say) that a medical doctor welcomes contributions from the tobacco industry?
I don’t like doctors who are comfortable supporting an industry that kills an estimated 480,000 people in the U.S. each year, especially if they claim to represent me in Congress.
There are, of course, more reasons to vote against Harris in November, not the least of which is that the Democratic candidate, Dan Schwartz, would represent the First District, not Donald Trump or special interests. Schwartz doesn’t accept political action committee contributions, and he is committed to improving life for Eastern Shore residents.
One thing to remember is that Andy Harris is good at one thing—keeping his head down. You won’t find him at town hall meetings, discussing issues with the people who are supposed to be his constituents.
Harris keeps winning reelection because First District voters don’t know enough about him. That’s why it is time to look at Handgun Harris’ record and compare it with that of Dan Schwartz.
And one added bonus—if Democrats win control of the House of Representatives (and, hopefully, the Senate as well), there will be a much-needed check on Donald Trump. King Donald will find it more difficult to start wars, engage in corrupt behavior, and gut the types of government health, education, housing, and infrastructure spending that is needed here on the Eastern Shore.
24 Responses
Thank you for articulating so many reasons to re-elect Andy Harris and vote all Red in November!
Democrat Socialists of America will take away our 2nd Amendment gun rights as well as continue to tax us to death. Vote Andy Harris and vote for a straight Republican ticket.
Save America and Save Talbot County.
Andy Harris has never voted to raise the me minimum wage either.
If you want more honesty in Congress, vote for the candidates who do not take money from corporate interests.
I don’t want your gun! However, I do want a thorough background check to purchase a gun.
Tax the wealthy to build the more “perfect Union”!!
You think supporting tobacco- voting against medical care for veterans is a reason to vote for him? I am voting against him to support veterans. Andy does not support them.
Gun rights are not going anywhere- ask the ranchers how trump is helping them. I will not vote for a rep – Harris- who consistently votes against veterans.
Voted against the Honoring Our Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT) Act — the largest veterans healthcare expansion in decades
Harris voted against the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT) Act, which expanded Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare and benefits eligibility for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits — affecting an estimated 3.5 million veterans nationwide. The bill passed with broad bipartisan support. Harris was among the minority who voted no.
Source: GovTrack — PACT Act House VoteCommon Sense Eastern Shore
Voted against the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act
Harris voted against the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included military pay raises, housing allowance adjustments, and readiness investments — one of only 71 Republicans to oppose it.
Source: GovTrack — FY2023 NDAA House Vote
Championed rural veteran access — then backed cuts that undermined it
Harris was an early advocate for the Veterans Choice Program, which allows Eastern Shore veterans to see local providers instead of traveling across the Bay to Baltimore Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities. He then voted for budget frameworks that analysts said would reduce VA administrative capacity — and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)-aligned workforce cuts have since increased wait times for the same rural veterans he said he was fighting for.
Source: Delmarva Now — Harris Proposes Veterans Choice Plan
you are drastically misinformed. So ironic that the “pro-life” folks are perfectly fine with kids being killed by assault weapons.
Amen Shari!
You need to go back to government class. Democrats cannot overturn the 2nd Amendment–that would require an Amendment, not a law.
This comment shows no level of honesty, typical of the spiritual leader of the Republican party who lies every day of the week. If you believe that yesterday Iran called Trump and begged him to make a deal, then by all means vote for Harris. If you believe it’s good for children to be under-fed and have no health insurance, vote for Harris. If you believe we totally control the Strait of Hormuz, vote for Harris. If you want Trump to reign nuclear warheads on Iran after the election, listen to Ms. Wilcoxon. And if you LOVE high gas prices and think, like Trump, that they are not high enough, vote for Harris. But if you have any ability to think critically, or have any Christian compassion (as encouraged by Christ, not racist Christian Nationalist), vote for people who want to make Talbot better, like the Democrats running.
Thanks for your offer of “help” with my mail in ballot, Shari. Still not sure how you found out I had requested one, but just so you know, I voted straight blue on my ballot. Not a single r got my vote.
You’ve been singing that “They’re going to take our guns away” song since Obama was elected. You still have your guns and it’s getting old. NOBODY is coming for your guns. Period. Andy is useless. He has voted to reduce health care, not only for his constituents, but for the 9/ll first responders, he’s kicked needy families off of SNAP and continues to embrace the coal and oil industry. You cannot tell me one thing he has ever done to make your life better in the last 15 years.
Enough with the “Save America “ crap. And lots of libs own guns ( myself included) so stop with the stealing our guns BS too.
Thank you for your excellent letter and for reminding us how Harris is out of step with the Eastern Shore. Let’s get out and vote for Dan Schwartz for Congress.
Handgun Harris has done nothing in 15 years aside from taking up space in Congress. He’s 100% MAGAt.
Trump says jump and Handgun asks “How high?”
He does not belong in the House as he represents nothing and has accomplished nothing aside from bringing in his handgun.
Amen and praise the Lorders ♥️ are some of the biggest and fattest ( as in gold) pieces of shite. Hypocritical election deniers, misogynists, racists, and crooks who are unformed takers and never givers. Their loyalty to trump and support of his inhuman greedy hateful policies are the telltale signature soul they operate from. Sooooo looking forward to seeing your asses whipped on November 3, even if you cheat and buy votes you are still going down. Especially I will get pleasure seeing the defeat of do nothing for anyone who can’t pay me physician in name only do harm and do nothing Andy Harris. Can’t wait to see you faceplant you Nazi turd.
Thank you Mr. Dean for giving us a sense of what Andy Harris has done for the Shore – just about nothing that is positive. Thanks to him and fellow Republicans the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will strip coverage from about 175,000 Marylanders and eventually cost the state taxpayers billions of dollars to cover unfunded care. It’s clear that he hasn’t practiced medicine in a very long time, especially on the Shore, or he would see the impending impact of this decision. Clearly those on Medicaid don’t have a large PAC that can contribute as much to his campaign as Altria’s PAC can.
The problem with this article is it implies it speaks for the majority, which is not true when it comes to the Eastern Shore. We need someone brave enough to stand up for gun rights in Maryland. We are largely a population of farmers, watermen, and small business owners. Our priorities are strong family, our faith in God, lowering all forms of taxes and reducing big government. This is why I have always voted for Andy Harris and will continue to do so if he’s on the ticket.
Here is his record in ag:
Holds direct authority over U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding — and has used it to cut
As chair of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, Harris controls annual funding for crop insurance, conservation programs, rural development, food safety, and nutrition assistance. He has used that authority to propose $8.3 billion in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cuts and push to rescind $6.25 billion in conservation funding — programs that directly benefit farmers across the District, especially Eastern Shore farmers.
Source: Congress.gov — Rep. Andy Harris Member ProfileCongressional Research Service — FY2025 Agriculture Appropriations
Proposed cutting $8.3 billion from U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) spending in his FY2024 agriculture bill
As Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chair, Harris advanced an FY2024 bill that would slash U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding by more than 30% below the prior year’s level, cutting conservation programs, rural development, and nutrition assistance. Advocacy groups said the cuts would undermine family farms.
Source: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition — Harris FY24 Ag Bill Analysis
Pushed to rescind $6.25 billion in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) conservation and clean energy funds for agriculture
Harris’s FY2024 agriculture appropriations bill proposed rescinding $6.25 billion in Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds designated for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs — including grants for cover crops, water quality, and soil health that benefit Eastern Shore farmers dealing with saltwater intrusion and flooding.
Source: National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition — FY24 Ag Bill Analysis
Endorsed Trump tariff policies that triggered retaliatory tariffs on Eastern Shore agricultural exports
Harris publicly supported Trump’s tariffs on China while simultaneously requesting exemptions for specific Eastern Shore manufacturers. Retaliatory tariffs from China targeted soybeans — one of the Shore’s largest export crops — with opinion writers in his district noting he ‘simply endorses Trump’s turbulent tariffs, despite the threat to agriculture.’
Source: Star Democrat — Tariffs Jeopardize $300M in Shore Ag Exports
Heather, thank you for adding this substantive information. I hope Dan Schwartz confronts Harris with his record on agriculture when they debate.
Here is more of his anti farm voting stance which is not what he campaigns on but this is his voting record:
What Harris does
Voted against comprehensive Farm Bill investment packages — source
Voted against conservation and climate resilience program funding — source
Publicly endorsed tariff policies that triggered retaliatory harm to Eastern Shore poultry, grain, and seafood exporters — source
What this means for District 01 residents
Poultry growers in Wicomico, Worcester, and Dorchester counties
The Eastern Shore is one of the largest poultry-producing regions on the East Coast. Family growers operate on contract with thin margins. Trade policies Harris supported triggered retaliatory tariffs from Asian export markets.
Grain and soybean farmers
Maryland grain and soybean producers export a significant share of their crops, particularly to Asian markets. Retaliatory tariffs reduced demand in those markets.
Farmers dealing with flooding and saltwater intrusion
Saltwater intrusion, tidal flooding, and erosion are documented and increasing on Eastern Shore farmland. Federal conservation cost-share programs Harris has opposed are the primary tool available to help farmers adapt.
With all due respect, Mrs. Geist-Lyons, your boy Andy is seriously damaging farmers by blindly supporting Trump’s “deal” with Argentina to buy 300,000 metric tons South American beef to try to lower prices of ground beef nationwide. American farmers are being priced out by our own Republican president with the full support of Andy. Andy also supports Trump’s mindless war with Iran that has raised fuel prices and created critical shortages of fertilizers for our farmers, along with sky-high diesel costs for farm equipment. High fuel prices are also impacting watermen whose fuel costs have driven average cost of a bushel of Number 1 male crabs to $400 and up to $450. Lest ye forget, when January 1, 2027 rolls around and 172,000 Marylanders lose their affordable health care, its because cowards like Andy Harris supported Trump’s effort to kill Obamacare.
Its so heartwarming to know that Republicans like you are so dedicated to strong family values. I suppose you can justify Trump and Harris removing school meals for needy children (50% eligible) in Talbot County. And I’m certain you can explain how your faith in God allows you (and Harris) to support Trump’s desperate efforts to suppress full publication of the Epstein Files to cover up his massive and deep involvement as a heinous sex criminal. Of course, Harris supports Trumps massive tax cuts for the billionaire class so they can cut your Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid programs which millions of middle income white Republicans rely upon from month to month. And just how does that help keep your taxes low while he’s blowing up the National debt?
I have to wonder how, after 8 years of Obama and 4 years of Biden, nobody came after your gun(s). No legislation preventing or recalling private firearms was ever initiated during those 12 years. Thus, no bravery is required by Harris to protect our gun rights. Do you get a share of the payments Harris gets from the Gun Lobby to vote to prevent full gun registration and sales of semi-automatic weapons of war?
I understand that Republicans of low to middle income have every right to vote against their best economic interests and delude themselves about being good family-oriented Christians. But with all due respect, you aren’t fooling anyone but yourself.
This article is all so true, thank you for bringing it to light. There are too many Andy Harris’s in Congress ,rubber stamp people to Trumps delight.
Never in my long life did I fear for our Freedom nor see Our American in such disray,
Thank you Mr. Dean for an excellent article about the MANY REASONS to never vote for A. Hole Harris. He is a disgrace to John’s Hopkins, the Eastern Shore of MD., and Congress.
The article succinctly pointed out glaring reasons why Harris is not only unqualified, he is ‘bought’ by the highest bidder and bends the knee to the most vile, corrupt leader of his party.
For those who hide behind ‘gun rights,’ no one is taking your guns away! We own guns, legally. And stop the ‘God’ BS. The God I worship does not condone lying, cheating, stealing, killing, raping, greed, narcissism and more.
Harris needs to GO.
An abomination.
Short, concise and to the point.
It’s fitting that one of the few pieces of legislation ever proposed by Andy Harris is to overturn the 17th Amendment. It turns out that the 17th is the democracy-enhancing amendment that established the direct election of United States senators who, until it was ratified by three-quarters of the nation’s state legislatures, were appointed by those same legislatures. It wasn’t until the elections of 1918 — ironically two years before the 19th Amendment recognized the right of women to vote — that all senators who won by direct election were sworn into office. No doubt, Andy proposed getting rid the 17th in the vain hope of satisfying Prez Trump’s fondest wishful thinking that the “election” of U.S. senators could be left to gerrimandered legislatures, especially of states with a tiny fraction of the population as California’s. Fortunately, getting rid of a constitutional amendment takes more than a stroke of an Oval Office magic marker.
As consolation, let’s re-draw Andy’s district to a voter-free sinking Chesapeake isle. Better yet, just vote him out.
Steve Parks
Thank you for a great comment–information all of us should know about Congressman Harris.