I have been seeing a number of signs throughout the First Congressional District that read, “I’m With Andy.” What does this mean? I know that Congressman Andy “Handgun” Harris is a staunch supporter of Donald Trump and his big lie. Harris voted against certifying the results of the 2020 election. The doctor-turned-politician also has gained notoriety for attending a December 19, 2020, meeting at the White House at which, I assume, Harris offered advice on how to persuade Vice President Pence to reject the electoral college vote count and allow Trump to remain in office. And, of course, I still wonder what Harris was doing when he was caught trying to carry a gun onto the floor of the House of Representatives.
Does “I’m With Andy” mean that I endorse these actions? If it does, my follow-up questions are “Really?” and “What do these things have to do with the First District?”
I would also ask the Congressman about his propensity to vote against almost every piece of legislation that comes before the House. Harris voted against the Biden infrastructure bill. Andy, why did you vote against a bill that would bring money and needed social services to the First District?
Several of the Andy Harris campaign signs I have seen say “Fire Pelosi.” Nancy Pelosi (R-CA), of course, is Speaker of the House. Andy chose to tout his interest in “firing” the House Speaker, presumably by having Republicans win a majority in the House, rather than any other issue.
When I visited Harris’ campaign website, I was greeted with “Andy’s Message.” In part it reads, “The 2022 election is more important than ever. The Biden Agenda is hurting our communities. It’s time to stop the Biden-Pelosi Agenda – save our schools and protect our pocketbooks.”
Harris is confused about who he represents in Congress. Donald Trump, thank heaven, does not live in Maryland.
Andy, like many of the most prominent Republicans serving in the House and Senate today, appears more interested in national issues than the ones that impact the daily lives of his supposed constituents. Rather than work to represent their states or districts, these Republicans embrace the Trump agenda. That is sad.
Andy, if doing the job of representing the First District means working to make life better for the people living here, you are not doing your job.
Have you noticed that Harris is not reminding voters of his former support for term-limits? Harris broke his promise to serve no more than six terms in Congress. When he announced that he was breaking his promise, he said he had unfinished work to do fighting liberals and socialists.
Andy, is part of that unfinished work returning Donald Trump to the presidency? (I also wonder how the Oath Keepers feel about Andy breaking his oath on term limits, but that is another conversation.)
Lest anyone think I focus too much on Andy Harris, it is worth pondering what a sign reading “I’m with Heather” might tell us. Heather Mizeur is a Democrat with a solid legislative record. Her resume is impressive, including work on Capitol Hill, in Annapolis, and as a working farmer. Should Heather win in November, she would make an impact, almost immediately, on legislation relevant to the First District.
What legislation are we talking about? Visit Mizeur’s website to see her 10-point vision. It includes several items that the First District needs, such as better workforce training, infrastructure investments, and improved housing. A liberal agenda? Note that she also supports policies that should appeal to more conservative voters, such as tax relief for small businesses, support for the fishing industry, and reining in inflation. It sounds as though Heather understands the First District and plans to pursue priorities that are important to its residents.
Next time I talk to Harris supporters, I will ask them if they are with Andy. If they answer yes, I will try not to shake my head in disgust. I do not see anything about Handgun Harris to get excited about. Of course, in saying that, I do not want to see Trump returned to office and American democracy destroyed.
If you have not registered to vote, do so today. Our future depends on it.
J.E. Dean is a retired attorney and public affairs consultant writing on politics, government, and other subjects.
Postscript. This column was written prior to publication of the Spy’s profile of Congressman Andy Harris on October 3. In the video profile, Harris addresses his carrying a concealed firearm and the incident where a handgun was detected by a metal detector while entering the Floor of the House Chamber. Harris indicates he had forgotten he was carrying the weapon that day.
Congressman Harris’ discussion of the incident begins at 18 minutes into the video. He specifically discusses the incident at around 18:50.
Pete Cerutti says
I really think you are better serving the citizens of Talbot County by not voicing your political opinion. Just offer information and let your readers decide. Please don’t put your spin on it. We don’t need you telling us who to vote for. I will be canceling my subscription to Talbot Spy.
Carl Tankersley says
I thought there was a lot of information provided in Mr. Dean’s piece. Probably best you unsubscribe if you don’t want facts.
John Dean says
I’m sorry to hear that. Don’t throw out the whole bushel due to one bad apple. I write opinion pieces, which is why I shared my view on Rep. Harris.
David W. Lloyd says
“Andy, if doing the job of representing the First District means working to make life better for the people living here, you are not doing your job.” Could not say this any better. When you think about the many times Harris voted against the needs and interests of those of us in his District, you have to wonder, “who benefits from his voting against those of us in his district?” Even a number of his Republican colleagues have voted to improve our District — while Harris ignores our needs. Let’s be sure to vote him out!!
Holly Wright says
So true. The PR campaign is funded by the National Republican Central Committee which puts out generic defenses for vulnerable candidates and includes an attack Nancy Pelosi. Let’s keep pushing for Andy to move from vulnerable to former.
Bob Kopec says
Andy has does nothing more than collect a salary for too long. He checked out years ago.
John Dean says
I don’t usually disagree with you, but Andy’s been busy working for Trump. That how he thinks he earns his paycheck. I wonder if he considers his December 19, 2021 White House meeting “official business.”
Judy Wixted says
Thank you for this thoughtful column Mr. Dean. At a public local event, I witnessed Ms. Mizeur speak with a potential constituent who needed help. There was no way to know if the person who needed help was a Democrat or a Republican. Quite frankly, it didn’t matter. Heather, listened deeply until the citizen was done speaking and then immediately took out her phone and put the woman in touch with someone within government who could help. I will never forget the look of relief on that woman’s face. She had been trying to get help for months. In fifteen minutes, Heather Mizeur did more for a citizen on the Eastern Shore than Mr. Harris has done in sixteen years. It is embarrassing to admit, but I teared up watching Heather Mizeur in action, that is how hungry I am for real leadership, leadership that checks party at the door to help all our citizens.
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment. I had the same reaction to Mizeur’s interview with The Spy. Unlike Harris, she came across as a public servant, ready to lead.
Jim Moses CDR, USN (Ret.) says
I think the appropriate counterpoint to “I’m with Andy” is “What has Andy done for YOU?”
John Dean says
I agree—you have the right question.
Thank you for reading the piece.
Al DiCenso says
Andy won’t take questions from the floor; they must all be pre-screened. That tells you all you need to know about Andy; he won’t openly face his constituents.
John Dean says
I watched The Spy’s 20 minute interview with Harris. He is too slick to be credible to me.
Thanks for your response.
Jeff Staley says
Thanks Mr. Dean for a well-presented argument in favor of Heather Mizeur. She has impressed me during a couple of phone conversations as a wonderfully capable and balanced replacement for Andy Harris. I urge others to consider doing the same.
John Dean says
I agree with you on Heather Mizeur. I hope people take the time to learn about her.
Vincent De Sanctis says
Mr. Dean fairly shows the distinction between Andy Harris and Heather Mizeur. Underlying the difference between the two is Harris’ distain for the role of government. Hence no need for policy proposals. Supporting a wannabe dictator as president is consistent with his views. A president obsessed about power and what it can do for him but indifferent to governing is Harris’ ideal leader.
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment.
Michael Estrella says
I’m sorry, but this is a fairly simple issue. All you need to do is Google Andy’s voting record and count the NO votes. He is called Andy “Dr. No” for a good reason and his voting record is NOT one to be proud of unless you are the offspring of the Grinch or Scrooge pre-ghosts! If it is good for vets, Andy votes NO. If it is good for the Capitol Police, Andy votes NO. If its good 911 survivors and their families, Andy votes NO! And just why does he support and say YES to fools like Roy Moore and Majorie Taylor Greene? And, why did he try and sneak his gun into the Capitol?
We deserve better than Dr. No!
Michael Estrella
St. Michaels
John Dean says
Thank you for your comment. I share your amazement at how often he votes no, even when the legislation would indisputably improve the lives of his constituents.
Lynne McGrath says
It is interesting that with all the well deserved negative comments about Andy Harris, he still gets votes. He has done nothing to support our district and our community has suffered for it. He seems to want to hear his own voice, spouting nonsense, than listen to a concerned constituent. I implore all District 1 citizens to take a hard look at their choice in this election. Andy Harris, our do nothing traitor of a Congressman or Heather Mizeur, a competent legislator who has done more to help members of our district during her campaign than Andy Harris has done in 12 years.
The choice for all who care about the Eastern Shore is clearly Heather Mizeur.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Agree. This is the age we live in when media like Fox,
Is given $$$$$ to spout lies. I never thought I would live to see this dystopian image of our nation as the driving
factor for millions to believe BS. When people really believe that Democrats are consuming kids, we have
a huge mental illness problem. And little winnie Tucker
flys off to one of his many vaca houses, laughing to the bank.
I’ll say it again, if the “grab the pu**y” tape did not
change minds, we have a seriously f-upped electorate.
What wankers, all of them.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Fox “news” has demonized all that stand in defense of separation of church/state, voting rights,
women’s bodily autonomy over opponents of democracy , and basic decency. If shallow, low educated people
hear this as their background noise everyday, it’s no wonder they act like slaves to the GOP. Those who are controlling these people are gloating and in control. Ultimately, they will be destroyed because I have
hope there is some good left in this world. The tribes are established and those who have any desire
for a true democracy better vote because the end of our system of for the people, of the people government is here.
Imagine this. Cox, the caricature of Trump who is running on the GOP ticket in Maryland’s gubernatorial race, has hundreds of like minded election deniers on the ballot across the country. These clowns will
be able to decide who wins, who loses the elections. So one’s vote becomes void if some GOP Secretary of State or GOP member of a state legislature, decides your vote is wrong.
How scary is this? Very.
This November, vote for democracy, vote all BLUE.
Carole Curtis says
My husband and I retired to Easton in 2001 from the Washington DC suburb of Vienna, VA. I am a registered Democrat and my husband is a registered Independent. We always have voted in every election since we were 21 yrs old. In our 21 yrs here in Easton this is the first time that we have received campaign mailings from Andy Harris that are pure propaganda and lies. I wouldn’t vote for this man if my life depended on it, nor would my husband. By his voting to overthrow the last election in favor of Trump it proves to me that he has no respect for our democratic institutions and that he violated his oath of office to preserve and protect our Constitution. It is disgusting and repulsive that he supports someone who I consider to be a traitor to our country. By his voting against all legislation that would benefit our district it is apparent that he is not fit to represent the people of the 1st district. Heather Mizeur on the other hand is a hopeful alternative. She actually grew up and lives on the eastern shore. When she served in the Maryland House of Delegates she demonstrated that she has the interest of all the people on the eastern shore at heart and I believe that she will best represent us in the US House of Representatives.
John Dean says
Thank you for reading the piece and for sharing your perspective on Rep. Harris.