Who's In the Race

Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD) faces Democrat Dan Schwartz in the Nov. 3 general election in Maryland's 1st District. Harris has represented the district since 2011 and worked as a physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital and as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. Schwartz describes himself as a consumer advocate who spent more than 14 years working with state and federal regulators to protect consumers from financial misconduct. Shlikas is an unaffiliated write-in candidate. ​

Harris won the Republican primary on June 23 with about 80 percent of the vote over Chris Bruneau. Schwartz won a four-way Democratic primary with about 46 percent of the vote, edging out Randi White, who took about 37 percent.

What They Stand For

Harris has proposed lowering the corporate tax rate and simplifying the tax code, arguing the changes would keep jobs in the U.S. and help small businesses grow, according to his official House website. He's also supported:

  • Health insurance reforms that preserve access for people with preexisting conditions, allow purchases across state lines, and leave medical decisions to physicians and patients,
  • Securing the border through increased border patrol staffing, advanced technology, and physical barriers where necessary,
  • Leaving curriculum decisions to local governments rather than the federal government; and
  • A suspension of the federal gas tax, which he introduced as legislation in September 2026 as relief for drivers and truckers.

Schwartz has proposed banning members of Congress and their families from trading equities, options, and cryptocurrency, according to his campaign website. He has also supported:

  • Holding monthly town halls across the district to hear directly from constituents,
  • Opposing midcycle redistricting, saying district voters have not asked for the Eastern Shore to be combined with Anne Arundel or Howard County, according to the Baltimore Banner,
  • Reversing Trump's tariffs, which he said raise costs for farms and families; and
  • Bringing U.S. troops home from the war in Iran and redirecting that money to domestic uses, according to the Baltimore Banner.

The Money Behind the Race

Andy Harris took in about $2.3 million in total receipts and had about $1.9 million in cash on hand as of June 30. Dan Schwartz, a Democrat, raised about $695,000 through June 30, had about $73,000 in cash on hand, and carried about $34,000 in debt.

Outside groups spent about $31,000 in the race as of Oct. 13, nearly all of it focused on Harris: the Freedom Caucus Fund spent about $16,600 supporting him, while Indivisible Project Inc. spent about $14,400 opposing him. Just $10 in outside money backed Schwartz, all of it from Sierra Club Independent Action.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Harris, a 93.35 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13; Democrats, whose nominee is Schwartz, stood at 6.65 percent.

Harris carried the 1st District with about 54 percent in 2022 and about 59 percent in 2024. In the 2024 presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris carried Maryland with about 63 percent of the vote.

Early voting runs Thursday, Oct. 22, through Thursday, Oct. 29, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day. Mail-ballot applications are due Tuesday, Oct. 27, if the ballot is to be mailed or faxed to the voter, or Friday, Oct. 30, if the voter will download and print it. Polls on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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