MARYLAND (WBFF) — Rep. Andy Harris, the Republican incumbent of Maryland’s 1st District, won re-election on Tuesday night, according to the Associated Press.
Dan Schwartz was the Democrat who attempted to unseat him.
The district could be affected by the outcome of the vote on Question 3, which would amend Maryland’s Constitution to change the rules for drawing congressional districts. Supporters say it would help Maryland respond to efforts by President Donald Trump and Republicans in other states to redraw maps.
Critics warn it could lead to a new map designed to give Democrats an advantage in all eight of Maryland’s congressional districts. The state’s First District, where Harris serves, is currently the only one represented by a Republican.
Harris, who has been outspoken in his opposition to Question 3, also criticized the broader national push toward mid-decade redistricting.
Asked whether he opposes Republican-led efforts to redraw congressional maps in other states, Harris said the practice is wrong regardless of which political party benefits.
“Look, I think mid-cycle redistricting is a bad idea,” Harris said. “Both parties are culpable here. It’s a bad idea.”
Harris blamed Democratic political figures Marc Elias and Eric Holder for helping initiate the latest round of redistricting fights through litigation following the 2022 elections.
When asked whether he would oppose a similar constitutional amendment if Republicans were pushing it, Harris pointed to former Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s efforts to establish a nonpartisan redistricting process.
“That’s the way it ought to be,” Harris said. “Otherwise, it’s really gerrymandering, which by definition, is unfair to one party.”
Harris also warned that redrawing the 1st Congressional District could weaken the political influence of rural communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
He pointed to previous proposals that would have divided parts of the Eastern Shore and connected those communities with more heavily Democratic areas across the Chesapeake Bay.
“Columbia has very little in common with the lower Shore of Maryland,” Harris said. “Baltimore City has very little in common with Kent County.”
“What they will lose is they will lose rural representation, which is incredibly important for the rural communities across the country,” Harris added.
Harris also accused Moore of pursuing redistricting for political reasons, suggesting the governor wants to compete with other prominent Democrats on the national stage.
“The bottom line is Wes Moore, because he’s running for president, he doesn’t want to be outdone by Gavin Newsom,” Harris claimed.
Moore has not announced a presidential campaign.
Harris argued that Maryland Democrats initially attempted to redraw congressional boundaries without voter approval before turning to a proposed constitutional amendment.
“Their first plan, Plan A, didn’t work. Plan A was to do it without going to the voters,” Harris said. “Plan B is just as bad.”
A recent UMBC poll found significant opposition to Question 3 among Maryland voters.
According to the survey, 53% of respondents opposed the measure, while 25% supported it. Among Democrats, 42% opposed the proposal and 35% supported it.
Harris pointed to those findings as evidence that voters are skeptical of redistricting when they understand what is at stake.
“Forget the legalese that’s on that ballot. This is about gerrymandering,” Harris said. “If you like gerrymandering, vote for it. If you’re against the concept of gerrymandering, you have to vote against Question 3.”
Last month, during a candidate forum in Cambridge, Harris threatened to report a student journalist named Cat Murphy to prosecutors for recording him. The tense exchange was captured on video.
Harris repeatedly argued that Maryland law required her to obtain his permission, called for an officer to intervene and said her camera should be taken away.
The exchange continued as Murphy attempted to ask Harris about his comments during the forum regarding President Donald Trump’s handling of the war in Iran. Harris eventually left the gathering.
Maryland’s wiretapping law generally requires all parties to consent to recording a private conversation. However, the law generally does not apply to a public exchange with reporters when there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.
During an appearance on FOX45 News In Depth, Harris defended the confrontation, and dismissed criticism of his behavior, arguing the encounter received attention because he pushed back against what he described as unfair treatment by the media.
“Look, the bottom line is it’s not very newsworthy that the liberal media badgers a conservative politician,” Harris said. “What was newsworthy is that I actually pushed back against it.”
Harris will serve his ninth term representing the Eastern Shore.
This post was originally published on Fox 45 by Sinclair Media Group.
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