It takes a special person to run for Congress as a Democrat in Maryland’s First District. A Republican has held the seat since 2011, and despite controversial actions, has managed to get reelected.
Last Sunday, Dan Schwartz, the Democratic congressional candidate for the First District of Maryland, spoke at St. Paul’s Church in Oxford to concerned citizens who sought to learn more about his platform. The turnout was particularly impressive given the inclement weather and rising waters in downtown Oxford.
Dan, in an articulate, enthusiastic, and driven fashion, explained that he decided to get into the race about 17 months ago because of his strong commitment to improving living conditions for Eastern Shore residents. Dan lives in Royal Oak, has three small children, and his wife is a nurse practitioner on the Eastern Shore. His more than 14 years’ experience working alongside state and federal regulators as a consumer watchdog provides valuable insights into how to make concrete progress for our citizenry.
Dan saw how insurance companies are denying residents coverage for life-saving treatments. (His wife deals with patients with such issues on a regular basis.) He saw how tariffs are crippling agricultural endeavors for Eastern Shore farmers, and the cost of fuel is causing residents to have difficulty making ends meet. He also saw how healthcare and infrastructure issues have become front and center issues in the area.
So, what does Dan stand for?
He wants to build a bigger tent that supports all residents of the First District, no matter their party affiliation. He wants to reduce political polarization in the area and believes that the right answers are seldom on the extreme left or extreme right. He believes in being accessible to the populus—unlike his seldom-seen opponent Andy Harris.
Dan also reminded attendees that Harris supported Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” which impacts the Eastern Shore through federal funding cuts to rural healthcare and food assistance. He also noted that Harris has spent more time in Hungary than on the Eastern Shore, and has taken donations from several corporations, including large insurance and big tobacco.
Dan supports immigration reform that deals with the most dangerous criminals, not the current practice of ICE literally seizing citizens and deporting them, including several on the Eastern Shore, with valid rights to be in this country, and he supports stringent border security. He believes we should stop spending ridiculous amounts of money on the Iran War and instead support Ukraine and focus on ending its war with Russia.
Dan has raised more than $1.1 million dollars from individual donors. He does not take corporate or PAC money. He has attended more than 100 local events and plans to hold several more each week until election day.
Dan has received support from Maryland Senator Van Hollen, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, and Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin.
He encourages residents to support and elect local county officials who will help improve environmental and infrastructure issues important to the Eastern Shore. Dan also mentioned that he would like to get involved in saving the Robert Morris Inn—an important historical building that deserves attention and focus.
More information will be forthcoming regarding a debate in Cambridge on October 13 at 6 p.m. between Dan and Andy Harris sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Stay tuned for more details when they become available.
Thomas Jefferson once wrote, “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” This year our civic responsibility is more important than ever.
10 Responses
Dan has my vote. Andy Harris is missing in action. I never get an answer when I call his office. I leave my contact information as directed but have never gotten a response. I could go on about his support for Trump and his lack of a response regarding January 6. He does not represent me.
Suzanne, thanks for writing, and please spread the word! We deserve better!
Thank you for this essay. I think every rational, ethical, and compassionate voter in Maryland’s 1st Congressional district should vote for Dan Schwartz.
There is absolutely no good reason to vote for Andy Harris except greed. Whatever The Donald wants, Harris is standing by to serve. It is no secret that Trump is the most corrupt President ever. Trump has made his family and good friends billions of dollars at tax payer expense. I assume there are Trump cult members on the Shore who will vote for Harris because they benefit from selling out America.
The money going to billionaires comes from people Trump hates. Harris bragged he made a great deal for Maryland in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that cuts essential medical services from children and their parents. He also supports cutting food programs for people who need it. He’s proud to increase local child hunger and illness to transfer money to Trumpers. Recently, the Trump administration announced they want to cut hundreds of thousands of people from the Affordable Care Act. Apparently the Republicans think there is a shortage of starving people dying from lack of health care.
Dan Schwartz is far more than the anti-Trump. He’s wants to work for the good of all people in Harris’s district. That’s us. He wants to improve medical care and reduce energy costs for everyone. He supports Ukraine, not the war monger Putin. He is for rational regulation that maybe can prevent AI from killing us all. He’s not only from the district, but he’s in the district. It is easy to find him talking to voters. And, as crazy as this sounds, he wants to restore honesty to government.
Much of the same things can be said about every Democrat running in our local elections. Doing the right thing means voting for Dan Schwartz and all the local Democrats.
Michael, thanks for writing. You’ve summed up the situation well. Let’s hope the Eastern Shore sees the light!
He has my vote
Robin, Yeah! Great to hear.
No citizens have been deported. You sir are a liar!
A quick search found this…
“Verified reporting, watchdog investigations, and legal advocacy groups have documented instances where U.S. citizens were mistakenly arrested, detained, or wrongfully deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to a comprehensive report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), record-keeping data showed that ICE arrested 674 potential U.S. citizens, detained 121, and deported 70 between fiscal year 2015 and March 2020. Concurrently, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains that its enforcement actions are highly targeted, asserting that agency protocols and safeguards are designed to prevent the detention of U.S. citizens.
The following sources provide verified documentation, journalistic reporting, and oversight analysis on this matter:
Official Oversight & Watchdog Reports
• Government Accountability Office (GAO): The official federal watchdog published an in-depth review of administrative failures in database updates and tracking. For complete data breakdowns, see the full GAO Immigration Enforcement Report.
• American Immigration Council (AIC): This non-profit research and policy organization published an analysis detailing the systemic causes behind these errors, including inadequate database maintenance and lack of legal counsel. Read the full summary on the American Immigration Council Blog.
Journalistic Investigations & News Coverage
• ProPublica: A multi-part investigative project tracked more than 170 instances of U.S. citizens held by immigration authorities. The primary findings can be verified through the ProPublica Investigative Reporting Piece.
• The New York Times: Coverage from September 2026 highlights recent legal disputes and individual case studies of mistaken identity, which can be read via The New York Times National Coverage.
• PBS NewsHour: Broadcast reporting captured personal testimonies of affected individuals and legal challenges surrounding mistaken detentions, detailed on PBS NewsHour.
Academic & Civil Rights Documentation
• Northwestern University: The Center for International and Area Studies hosts a dedicated research database tracking legal settlements and records of citizens who were wrongfully banished. Review their case registry at the Northwestern University Deportation Research Clinic.
• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Advocacy reports outline how expedited removal processes and a lack of judicial hearings have historically impacted both lawful residents and citizens. Read the historical case reviews on the ACLU Reporting Platform.”
https://www.congress.gov/119/meeting/house/118180/documents/HMKP-119-JU00-20250430-SD003.pdf
Never been a fan of name calling.
If you’re in search of what leadership looks like, which include compassion and empathy for all, you found it in Dan Schwartz.
Let’s go fishing and cast our votes.!