Dorchester Press
Opinions and News from Around Dorchester
This page is devoted to contributions from voters and news publications around Dorchester County, MD. Please e-mail your thoughts on relevant issues to dorchesterdems@gmail.com.
Take a Long, Honest Look at Andy Harris and Decide
The Talbot Spy
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.
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Why Dan Schwartz Makes Good Sense to Represent the Eastern Shore
The Talbot Spy
September 15, 2026
For many long years, the voice of the people of the First District of Maryland has not been heard in the U.S. House of Representatives. Our current congressman, Andy Harris, has been absent from the area for most of his years in Congress.
Dan Schwartz is a strong advocate for the Eastern Shore. Now is your chance to meet him, ask him questions, and judge for yourself. On Sunday, September 27, Dan will be at St. Paul’s Church, 225 Morris Street, in Oxford, between 2 and 3:30 p.m.
So why does Dan deserve your vote to represent the Eastern Shore?
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Representative Jamie Raskin, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, and our former Republican District 1 Congressman Wayne Gilchrest have all endorsed him.
For more than 14 years, Dan has worked with state and federal regulators to protect consumers from financial misconduct and abuse. If elected, Dan will continue this priority.
How the political climate Andy Harris helped create has come for him
The Baltimore Banner
9/8/2026
U.S. Rep. Andy Harris has twice dodged redistricting attempts. He may not be so lucky a third time. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Banner)
For eight terms, Andy Harris has comfortably reigned over his red patch of blue Maryland.
He’s spent 15 years in Congress as a leader in the hardline conservative project that brought Donald Trump to the White House and gave Republicans control of Congress. He leads the House Freedom Caucus, which has used its leverage as a veto power to get what its members want. And he is on the front lines of the MAGA culture war over issues like border security, election integrity, abortion and cutting government spending.
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Opinion: Andy Harris and the OBBBA
The Talbot Spy
Michael Davis
August 13, 2026
On July 4 last year, Republicans celebrated passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Our own Rep. Andy Harris called the bill “a win for Maryland.” Instead, the OBBBA will worsen life for Maryland residents and millions nationwide.
Republicans designed the OBBBA so the serious cuts to the social safety net wouldn’t start until after the 2026 elections. The cuts to essential social programs begin on New Year’s Day, 2027 — months after voters get their say. Supposedly, delaying cuts would protect Republican incumbents, like Andy Harris, from voters angry that their lives got much worse. The gambit worked to some extent. Mainstream news outlets are ignoring forthcoming public suffering.
You wouldn’t guess Andy Harris is a medical professional given the cuts he backed. The OBBBA attacks Americans’ health and well-being in two main ways: it denies people access to health care, and it cuts their access to food. Both will bring disastrous consequences. Harris once swore a medical oath disavowing harmful action toward individuals. In voting for the OBBBA, he violated that oath.
DOGE and Constitutional Balance of Power
The Talbot Spy
March 11, 2025
Sarah Gavian
Cambridge, MD 21613
David Reel’s recent articles about President Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) miss some important constitutional problems. None of us know exactly how the Supreme Court will rule on DOGE, but it clearly undermines the balance of power between the branches of government. The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the authority to create and fund government agencies — not the president. Letting the president restructure or close agencies without Congress’s approval takes away power from Congress and weakens the system of checks and balances that protects our democracy.
What makes this even more troubling is that Trump doesn’t need to bypass Congress. He has a majority in both the House and the Senate. If Trump wants to restructure the government, he could go through Congress and follow the constitutional process. But instead, DOGE allows him to act unilaterally, cutting Congress out of decisions that should involve all three branches of government. That’s a dangerous step toward giving too much power to the executive branch.
Making the government more efficient is important — but it must be done in a way that respects the Constitution and preserves the balance of power.
There was a Time Andy Harris...
The Talbot Spy
March 4, 2025
Jim Sicks
Cambridge, MD 21613
There was a time when Rep. Andy Harris would brag about being Co-Chair of the Ukrainian Caucus in Congress.
There was a time, too, many times in fact, when Harris would wax poetic about his mother, describing her as an “Ukrainian immigrant who fled Soviet tyranny.”
There was a time when Harris supported providing lethal weapons to Ukraine, continuing financial aid to Ukraine, and granting Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to all Ukrainian citizens in the US.
That time has passed.
Today Harris supports removing TPS from everyone—to please Donald Trump.
Today Harris questions providing any further aid to Ukraine—to please Donald Trump.
Today Harris supports rewarding the Russian invasion by giving Putin Ukrainian land—to please Donald Trump.
Today Harris betrays his mother by acquiescing to the very Russian tyranny she fled—all to please Donald Trump.
Harris is a moral coward, and the people of Maryland’s First District deserve better.
Now is the time for Harris to try pleasing the people of his district rather than pleasing Donald Trump.
Slava Ukraini!
Harris told a flat-out lie
The Star Democrat
March 15, 2025
Richard Berman
Thursday, there were 100 or more protesters in front of the Cambridge Hyatt, where Andy Harris was speaking to the Chamber of Commerce. In an interview with WHCP radio, Harris stated that these were not his constituents; moreover, that they were each being paid $40 an hour to be there.
On both counts, he was mistaken.
It's easy to understand how Harris might think we are not his constituents because he is barely our representative. In 14 years, he has initiated one bill in Congress.
Proud of that record?..... click here to read more