In heated debate, Harris-Schwartz clash over diesel, agree on redistricting

CAMBRIDGE, MD. — The debate between U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, the Republican incumbent of Maryland’s 1st District, and Dan Schwartz, the Democrat trying to unseat him, was frequently interrupted Tuesday night by outbursts from the audience.

More than 150 Eastern Shore residents were gathered in Cambridge to hear the candidates answer the questions they had submitted to the League of Women Voters, the hosts of the debate.

Their questions covered topics that hit home in the district: how increased deportation efforts have impacted the poultry industry, what to do about aging bridge infrastructure, and whether the state’s energy needs should be met with offshore wind projects.

Interjections from the audience members, largely in opposition to Harris’s statements, interrupted the debate several times but tensions in the room boiled over when the candidates were asked about the Trump administration making a deal with Russian leadership for diesel.

“Making a deal with Russia to lift sanctions on their diesel when they are actively working with Iranian forces to kill our troops is not only wrong; it’s disgusting,” Schwartz responded, “and it follows the pattern of this administration pardoning criminals.”

No one in the audience interrupted Schwartz, but that was not the case for Harris.

“The facts are diesel prices have gone up. There’s no question about it. Why has it gone up? Because the Democrats have environmental regulations –” Harris said before getting interrupted by laughter, groans and shouting.

“See this is the problem,” Harris said to the audience. “You say you all believe in the First Amendment but only if you agree with me … you’re rude.”

Glenna Heckathorn, president of the League of Women Voters of the Mid-Shore, asked Schwartz and Harris to urge their supporters to remain civil.

Schwartz did just that.

“It’s very important that you guys are able to hear from both of us tonight,” he said.

Harris asserted that he didn’t need to address his supporters.

“My people aren’t interfering with Mr. Schwartz. It’s only one way,” he said.

While smaller flare-ups occurred, Harris also took heat from Schwartz, who lambasted his role in steep cuts to healthcare, food assistance programs and funding for the Chesapeake Bay.

“He does not care about the fact that there are so many hungry kids across our 11 counties. He has presided over a farm bill that cuts billions of dollars of aid from those hungry kids,” Schwartz said.

“I think that’s a scam,” he added, noting his 14 years of experience with a national organization of state financial regulators. “The Representative you vote for should work for the people of this congressional district — not for the President or his billionaire friends.”

Harris, seeking a ninth term to represent the Eastern Shore said his over two decades of experience speaks for itself.

“Experience counts — experience in the 1st District and experience in Congress,” Harris said. “I’ve delivered for the 1st District. Whether it’s the fire companies, for the water towers … waste systems, the hospital. I’ve delivered for them, because I’m experienced.”

Despite their many differences, the candidates found areas of common ground. They both agreed that death penalties should not be live streamed, which Trump officials are considering for the execution of Nidal Hasan, the man convicted of killing 13 people in Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009.

They also aligned in rejecting the state’s Democratic-controlled General Assembly’s effort to redraw congressional maps through a Constitutional amendment on the November ballots.

Question 3 carries the proposed constitutional amendment that would set new, looser standards for the way congressional maps are drawn in the state.

But the measure is unpopular on the Eastern Shore, where critics see it as an attempt to gerrymander Harris, the sole Republican in the state’s congressional delegation, out of office.

Schwartz said Democrats have to win the seat “fair and square” and believes he can overcome the odds by continuing to talk with constituents about cost of living challenges and growing uncertainty on the Trump administration due to steep federal cuts.

“If we’re going to win the seat here in the first Congressional district, and represent the people, you have to represent the people regardless of what party they’re in,” Schwartz told reporters after the forum.

“We cannot just take away this seat by redrawing the lines two years before a census. We have to win this seat. And we can.”